HUD Increase Flood Insurance Options for FHA Mortgage Holders in Special Flood Areas
HUD on Monday announced it will allow homeowners with FHA-insured mortgage financing to obtain flood insurance policies that conform to FHA requirements from private insurance providers.
The change, announced through a final rule published in the Federal Register and a Mortgagee Letter that provides implementation guidance for FHA-approved lenders, takes effect Dec. 21.
FHA requires insured mortgages for properties in Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas have flood insurance. Previously, only flood insurance obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program was permissible for FHA-insured mortgages, which limited choices for consumers.
As of Dec. 21, FHA will require lenders to provide detailed flood insurance coverage information when electronically submitting mortgages for FHA insurance on properties in SFHAs. This data collection is an objective included in HUD’s Climate Action Plan and will allow FHA to capture and analyze flood insurance information on mortgages in its portfolio at a more granular level than has been possible previously.
“We know borrowers face affordability challenges right now, yet a flood can be devastating to a family who is not properly insured,” said Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. “The choice to select a private flood insurance option may enable some borrowers to obtain policies that are less expensive or provide enhanced coverage.”
“Flood insurance is required to ensure families and individuals are prepared if disaster strikes. Increasing consumer options for this important protection is one way we are building more resilient communities in the face of climate change,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.
Mortgage Bankers Association President & CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB, issued a statement commending the HUD action, with a caveat:
“MBA applauds HUD’s decision to permit lenders to accept private flood insurance policies, a move for which we have long advocated and that will give FHA borrowers who need flood insurance more choices and potentially better coverage at a lower cost.
“The increasing threat of flood damage in many areas poses a significant risk to both homeowners and the FHA program. Accepting private flood insurance shifts some of the risk to the private market, ultimately helping to protect FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
“Although the final rule is a win for FHA borrowers, there is some concern that the lack of complete alignment with federal flood insurance requirements may lead to the rejection of some flood policies on FHA loans that are acceptable for other federally-backed loans.
“MBA will continue to work with HUD on improvements to housing policies and regulations that benefit borrowers while maintaining the safety and soundness of the FHA program.”
In 2021, HUD released its Climate Action Plan in response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. HUD has been implementing this broad approach to the climate crisis that reduces climate pollution; increases resilience to the impacts of climate change; protects public health; delivers environmental justice; and spurs well-paying union jobs and economic growth.
