FHA announces construction waiver extension in flooding areas
On Jan. 27, 2026, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the extension of 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. The waiver, originally set to expire on Feb. 21, 2026, will continue to exempt new single-family construction from the elevation standard requiring that the lowest floor of new construction be at least two feet above the base flood elevation.
“FHA is extending this waiver to continue assisting in ensuring the availability of FHA new construction financing options to expand the housing supply and deliver emergency housing price relief,” They said in the announcement.
The waiver will be in effect until Feb. 19, 2027.
