Brooklyn Residents Fear Flood Insurance Changes Will Force Them From Their Homes

In the face of climate change, federal flood insurance is more important than ever. But some experts and homeowners fear changes to the program that are underway could actually push people out of their communities.

Federal law requires almost all homeowners with a mortgage or another federally-backed loan to buy insurance if they are living in a high-risk flood zone. However, the maps for New York City were drawn in 2007, and didn’t consider the effects of rising sea levels and intense storms brought on by climate change. Now, homeowners and local advocates are worried that when the Federal Emergency Management Agency finally updates the maps, many residents could actually end up being forced out.

"We're not talking about people who have irresponsibly built a beach house because they want to have a second home on the shore," said Elizabeth Malone, an insurance specialist at Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn.

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This story was produced in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity. Jie Jenny Zou contributed reporting.