The Trump administration has made the decision to repeal the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) rule on implementing the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS). This rule, which came into effect in May of 2024, was put in place to ensure that HUD’s federally funded projects were built to withstand current and future flood risks. The repeal of this rule will result in new buildings, facilities, and homes being at a higher risk of flooding from hurricanes, sea level rise, and severe weather exacerbated by climate change. Unfortunately, this decision will disproportionately impact low-income residents, people of color, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
This move by the Trump administration is reminiscent of actions taken during President Trump’s first term, where he repealed President Obama’s executive order updating the flood standard established by President Carter in 1977. However, in his second term, President Trump issued EO 14148 to abolish all orders under the Biden administration, including the EO on Climate-Related Financial Risk and the FFRMS. This decision was made without considering the need for replacement rules by each federal agency, which is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and resilience of communities.
The HUD rule on the FFRMS was part of a broader effort across government agencies to enhance flood resilience. FEMA also indicated its intention to roll back its FFRMS rule, further diminishing the preparedness of communities for flooding. This rollback will have significant consequences, especially in areas where taxpayers are investing in new or rebuilt infrastructure.
There are four key reasons why repealing the HUD flood standard is detrimental:
1. Keeping residents of HUD-financed housing at risk: The modernization of HUD’s federally funded projects aimed to break the cycle of repetitive flooding that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. The repeal of this rule will lead to the construction of affordable housing in flood-prone areas without adequate mitigation measures.
2. Increasing costs to the federal government from repeated flood damages: By failing to build resilient housing, the Trump administration is ensuring that taxpayers will bear the cost of future flood damages. Investing in flood-resilient infrastructure can save millions in property damages over the long term.
3. Worsening the federal government’s climate change-related financial risk: Repealing the HUD rule will put FHA-backed mortgages at risk, adding to the financial burden faced by the government as climate disasters become more frequent and severe.
4. Reducing awareness of flood risk among tenants and homeowners: The HUD rule required notification of flood risk, insurance requirements, and safety information to residents. Without this rule, residents will be less informed and more vulnerable to flood risks.
The HUD rule was designed to address the growing threat of climate change and ensure that federally funded projects are resilient to flood risks. The decision to repeal this rule will have far-reaching consequences, particularly for vulnerable communities. State and local governments must continue to prioritize flood resilience and adopt the best practices to protect their communities. It is essential for the Trump administration to reconsider its stance on climate resilience and invest in programs that safeguard residents from the impacts of climate change.
