The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it also presents unique safety challenges. While many people look forward to decorating, cooking festive meals, and gathering with friends and family, it's crucial to remain vigilant. Accidents can happen, and fires are among the most significant safety issues during this time of year.

Portable generators are vital during power outages but pose significant risks that must be addressed. Ensuring the safe operation of generators in public and affordable housing settings is crucial to protect both residents and staff.

Flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States, posing significant property risks, especially in public and affordable housing. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a vital resource for housing providers to protect their assets and ensure the safety and security of their residents.

Public housing authorities (PHAs) face the continual challenge of maintaining and improving their properties while navigating the complexities of federal regulations and funding. Alongside these challenges, insurance considerations play a crucial role in repositioning efforts, ensuring that properties are adequately protected during and after transitions.

In 2022, Congress passed the “Public and Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022,” introducing new smoke alarm requirements for federally assisted housing. These guidelines, aligned with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72, aim to enhance fire protection and ensure resident safety.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), enacted in 1994, provides housing protections to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Despite its long-standing presence, many public and affordable housing providers still have questions about implementing VAWA, especially after the act's reauthorization in 2022, which expanded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) enforcement authority. Since then, HUD has initiated multiple cases involving non-compliant housing providers.

With a constant shortage of public and affordable housing units across the nation, a new development or rehab is always a positive sign for the state of housing. However, growth brings new risks for housing agencies, particularly builders' risk.