FHA Issues Temporary Waiver for New Single-Family Flood Elevation Requirements
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced a temporary waiver for new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas as part of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requirements issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for single-family construction that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The waiver means that the new elevation standard requiring that the lowest floor of new construction be at least two feet above the base flood elevation has been rescinded. This waiver applies to FHA-insured mortgages on new single-family construction.
In making its announcement, FHA said: “Without this partial waiver, the new MPS (minimum property standards) required elevation standard would have limited the land available for development and increased the cost of construction for FHA-insured single-family properties, thereby contributing to the insufficient supply of new construction housing and rising home prices.”
The partial waiver will be in effect for one year until Feb. 21, 2026.
Latest from NAHBNow
Member Benefits
Mar 31, 2026
NAHB’s Newest Savings Program Helps Members Build Financial StrengthFrom navigating cash flow to planning for long-term growth, having the right financial tools in place can make a meaningful difference. To help support members in these efforts, NAHB is excited to announce its latest member savings program partner: Signature Federal Credit Union.
Workforce Development | Student Chapters
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB Student Chapter at Alabama A&M University Off to Fast StartAAMU made its debut at the IBS Student Competition in Orlando. The chapter’s quick formation, ties to its local HBA and strong student leadership skills tell an inspiring tale of what NAHB members can do to support the future of the residential construction industry.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Mar 31, 2026
Soft Construction Labor Market Shows Decline for Open PositionsThe number of open positions in construction in February was down year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Economics
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB HBGI: Micro Markets Lone Bright Spot for Single-Family Building in Fourth QuarterSingle-family construction declined further in the fourth quarter in all but sparsely populated micro counties, according to the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).
Economics
Mar 26, 2026
State/Local Property Tax Revenue Rises Past $210 Billion in the Fourth QuarterProperty tax revenue collected by state and local governments rose for the ninth consecutive quarter according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenue.