CREST HAVEN – Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution May 10 that requests grandfathering provisions to be included in the National Flood Insurance laws to protect homeowners whose dwellings were built to elevations permitted when built, not as required in new, post-Sandy regulations.
Because of Sandy, “many homes were substantially damaged, requiring them to be rebuilt, and the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) released Base Flood Elevations to assist in community rebuilding.
Some homes were substantially damaged and required not only their reconstruction, but elevations to meet flood insurance criteria.
However, some homes were not “substantially damaged” but are in those affected new zones mandating new elevations.
Because of the law, if they do not raise their home to new required elevations, owners face “significantly increased flood insurance premiums,” the resolution states.
“Should the homeowners elect to sell their homes, they will endure a significant loss on the value upon resale as the potential buyers will be forced to elevate and remodel their homes, or pay significantly increased flood insurance premium rates,” the resolution continues.
“This results in a reality that is unfair, given the inability for these homeowners to qualify for programs to assist them in bringing their homes into compliance,” the resolution reads.
The board believes “the only way to remedy this injustice is to insert a grandfathering provision into the National Flood Insurance laws to permit those homes not substantially damaged to be deemed compliant, provided they were appropriately construction or reconstructed to standards at the time.”
Avalon – This economy is tough for everyone. Think I might have to sell my beach house! A good problem, but still forced.
