Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke today called for a vote in the House of Representatives to delay increases in flood insurance premiums for four years to protect homeowners in Brooklyn from price increases that would otherwise amount to thousands of dollars each year.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill to delay the premium increases, to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete an affordability study and to determine that its flood maps are accurate. In addition, the bill provides for low rates for homeowners who were placed into a flood zone for the first time or who were moved into a higher-risk flood zone as a result of remapping.

“Since the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, the families of Gerritsen Beach and Sheepshead Bay have dedicated themselves to the revitalization of their homes and small businesses, with much hard work and at considerable expense. An increase in flood insurance premiums would only increase the difficulty of their efforts, and would almost certainly force some homeowners – especially families living on a fixed income – to move elsewhere,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “I urge my colleagues to continue supporting for their efforts to rebuild the community and to remain in their homes.”

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.