The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) addressed Congress today, expressing concerns over the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) emphasis on adopting the latest building codes to enhance disaster safety. The NAHB argued that this focus is unwarranted and could unnecessarily raise housing costs.
Testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, NAHB First Vice Chairman Buddy Hughes stated that homes built to modern building codes (post-2000) are already efficient, safe, and resilient.
“These homes are designed to withstand major disasters and already offer substantial protection against high seismic activity, strong winds, heavy snow, wildfires and flooding,” said Hughes. “This makes increasing code stringency on a tri-annual basis unnecessary.”
Hughes suggested prioritizing the recognition of current modern codes' resiliency and ensuring proper enforcement while maintaining flexibility to address regional risks and specific needs.
Hughes emphasized that true resiliency involves more than just stronger buildings; it requires all community infrastructure systems such as energy transmission, flood control, communications, and transportation to be equipped for disasters.
“Creating true resiliency requires a holistic approach that encompasses all community systems,” he said. “FEMA’s emphasis on building codes can divert attention and resources from necessary improvements in infrastructure, emergency services, and existing buildings. A resilient building is of little value if the supporting infrastructure is lacking, and a resilient home offers little comfort if it remains unaffordable.”
Hughes stressed the importance of state and local governments retaining flexibility in adopting hazard-resistant codes suited to their specific needs by modifying provisions based on local construction practices, geographical risks, and economic conditions.
“A one-size-fits-all national code is rigid and does not account for regional differences,” said Hughes. “Such an approach would impose numerous unnecessary requirements on builders, ultimately resulting in higher costs for home buyers.”
He highlighted the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act as a measure that would help jurisdictions maintain local control over their building code adoption process. He urged the Senate to act on this legislation.
“Without this legislation, FEMA could consider funding only those jurisdictions that have adopted the latest editions of building codes,” he said. “This would put jurisdictions in a difficult position, pressuring them to adopt the newest codes without thorough vetting and amendment processes.”
Hughes called on Congress to focus more on retrofitting older homes rather than solely adopting new building codes since most of the nation's housing stock was built before 2010.
“The best way to withstand and recover from future natural disasters is to focus on cost-effective market-driven solutions that encourage greater resiliency in the nation’s housing stock," Hughes concluded. "This will increase resiliency and preserve affordability for both new and existing homes.”