National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Background, Reforms and Affordability

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was established by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA). The general purpose of the NFIP is both to offer primary flood insurance to properties with significant flood risk, and to reduce flood risk through the adoption of floodplain management standards. Communities volunteer to participate in the NFIP in order to have access to federal flood insurance, and in return are required to adopt minimum standards.