Comments on FEMA’s RFI on the Agency’s Programs and Regulations

On July 21, Enterprise submitted comments to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on its Request for Input (RFI) to gather information on the extent to which the existing agency programs, regulations, and policies (1) perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits for people of color and other underserved groups; (2) bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change; and (3) address the disproportionately high and adverse climate-related impacts on disadvantaged communities.

To that end, Enterprise provided a number of recommendations to strengthen FEMA programs, policies and procedures to reduce risk to millions of vulnerable households, focused on housing, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, climate resilience and equity. Recommendations include increasing awareness and accessibility of information on foreseeable risks communities face; reforming disaster recovery programs at FEMA to ensure equity for all; providing alternative pathways to substantiate homeownership title to assure low-income communities and communities of color receive federal aid; increasing flood insurance coverage, maintaining affordability and reducing flooding risk; strengthening the BRIC Program as well as prioritizing hazard adaptation for communities to prevent disparate impact climate change has on the most vulnerable communities.