NAHB Commends Bipartisan Legislation Promoting Resilient Buildings

In a significant development, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has praised Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) for introducing the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act (H.R. 5473). This bipartisan bill aims to strike a balance between local control over building code adoption and enhancing community resilience to extreme events.

NAHB Chairman Alicia Huey emphasized the importance of comprehensive approaches to address natural disasters while ensuring housing affordability. The legislation tackles a pressing issue faced by local governments and home builders across the United States.

One key aspect addressed by H.R. 5473 is the definition of "latest published editions" of building codes for pre-disaster hazard mitigation programs. The definition, which currently includes the latest two published editions of relevant codes, specifications, and standards, was set to sunset in October 2023. However, this bill seeks to remove the sunset provision, permanently codifying the existing definition.

Without this clarification, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would only consider the adoption of the very latest building codes by jurisdictions. This could potentially lead to hasty code changes, increased costs, and reduced safety and resiliency improvements.

Huey stressed that during a housing affordability crisis, it's crucial to avoid adding uncertainty and unnecessary costs to the home building process. NAHB urges the swift passage of H.R. 5473 to encourage communities to become more resilient while preserving essential building code flexibilities at the state and local levels.

This legislation represents a significant step toward addressing disaster resilience in the housing sector, aligning with NAHB's commitment to safeguarding housing affordability and resilience. #BuildingCodes #ResilientHomes #Legislation

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