by Mike Colpitts 
The National Association of Realtors® is calling on the Trump Administration to provide more FEMA disaster aid for homeowners whose homes sustain damage in national disasters. The move follows the administration’s cuts in FEMA staff and other disaster relief reductions.
The National Association of Realtors® is urging the Trump administration to streamline federal recovery programs to bridge the gap between short-term aid grants provided after disasters and expand mitigation grants that help communities rebuild to be stronger and safer after disasters.
“The National Association of Realtors® is working to ensure that homeowners who fall victim to unexpected disasters are in a position to rebuild their livelihoods,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. “The real estate sector makes up nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy, and it is essential that we protect this investment, which is a primary way for Americans to build wealth.”
Three hurricanes have struck the Fort Myers region in the past three years. Some 900 homes were destroyed on Fort Myers Beach when hurricane Ian hit nearly three years ago, and an estimated 23,000 homes in the region sustained damage from the series of hurricanes, including damaged roofs and siding.
More FEMA Disaster Aid
Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding is a major issue in the Sunshine state. Hurricane Ian, which struck in 2022, underscored the region’s exposure to storm surges and heavy rainfall. A surge topping 15 feet hit Fort Myers Beach when the hurricane struck, making it more than 1 and a half miles inland.
In Everglades City up to nine feet of surge inundated homes, highlighting the critical need for elevated structures to prevent flood damage. Programs to assist homeowners to raise their homes are underway in the region but many homeowners have been unable to get enough financial assistance to elevate their homes to FEMA standards.
Initiatives have been implemented to make homes more sustainable in flood areas assisting some homeowners. The Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program provides funding for retrofitting homes to withstand hurricane-force winds and flooding.
As natural disasters become more severe with global warming, the need for responsive and resilient disaster assistance programs grows increasingly urgent. NAR is committed to collaborating with FEMA to ensure that all Americans – regardless of where they live –have the resources and support they need to recover after disaster strikes.
Realtors Call for Homeowner Assistance
National Association of Realtors® President Kevin Sears sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency calling for action on the National Flood Insurance Program and other FEMA disaster programs.
Sears emphasized NAR’s desire to engage in a productive dialogue with the Trump administration’s goals of streamlining and reducing costs, while ensuring that programs effectively meet the needs of communities impacted by disasters.
“Realtors bring firsthand experience with FEMA’s disaster response efforts, whether as survivors themselves or as professionals connecting displaced families with temporary housing and other resources during recovery,” Sears wrote. “Their expertise proves invaluable to clients navigating real estate transactions in disaster-stricken areas, offering critical guidance during what are often people’s most vulnerable moments.”
NAR’s recommendations to the FEMA Review Council reflect decades of on-the-ground advocacy and insights in disaster-impacted communities. NAR also stresses the need for comprehensive flood insurance reforms to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.