Public Forum on Flood Insurance Issues

The New Haven Middlesex Association of REALTORS® (NHMR) is hosting a Free, Public Forum on Flood Insurance on Wednesday, November 4, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Association’s Main Office which is located at 127 Washington Avenue, West Building, Lower Level, North Haven, CT.

Lisa Sharrard Jones of Carolina Flood Solutions will speak about changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its effects on homeowners that live in flood zones. Topics will include flood zone map changes, summary of flood insurance rate increases and FEMA map appeals process. Emmeline Harrigan of Shore Up Connecticut will discuss state-funded, low interest loan programs that are available to finance or refinance property elevations, retrofitting for flood protection and windproofing.

“When Congress passed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act in 2014, there were automatic rate increases built into existing NFIP policies. Those increases took effect on April 1, 2015 and on average, rates are rising 10%, yet in some cases we have seen increases of 35%,” explained Michael Barbaro, President of the New Haven Middlesex Association of REALTORS. “ These changes have a huge impact on property owners in flood zones and coastal municipalities and there is a great lack of clarity on the options that owners of these properties have. We’ve put together an outstanding panel of experts that can give property owners and prospective buyers the answers, actionable information and resources they need.”

Jones is a public policy leader and served as national Chair of the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Her key areas of expertise are lowering flood insurance rates for homes, condos and businesses, identifying affordable low cost mitigation and insurance solutions, Floodplain Regulatory Compliance & CRS Assistance and Flood Insurance Rate (FIRM) Map Appeals. Harrigan is Program Manager for Shore Up CT and former Assistant City Planner/Floodplain Manager for the City of Milford specializing in NFIP compliance, hazard mitigation, public outreach and FEMA map updates. Little is a Certified Floodplain Manager who has studied flood mitigation for 10 years, with a concentration in proper foundation flood venting techniques.

Seating is limited. Advance registration is required. Click here to reserve your seat or call the New Haven Middlesex Association of REALTORS office at 203-234-7700.

The New Haven Middlesex Association of REALTORS is “The Voice for Real Estate” for New Haven and Middlesex counties. We provide professional development, education and resources for our members. We advocate issues for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and to protect the rights of private property owners.

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