Category: Property & Casualty

Liability Considerations for Affordable Housing Developments

Affordable housing developments are a critical component of building a strong economy, and the need for affordable housing today is urgent.  According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2022 Report, the U.S. is facing a shortage of 7 million affordable rental homes/units.

While this need creates challenges for our communities, it simultaneously creates significant opportunity for affordable housing developers.  Given the increasing number of projects, our team has determined the following liability considerations and risk management strategies.  Continue reading

Cybersecurity Best Practices Navigating today’s cyber & data security landscape

Businesses in every industry are facing cyber threats with increasing frequency and severity.  It is no longer a question of if your organization will experience a cyber incident, but when.  From employment/HR data breaches to operations disruptions to wire transfer fraud and more, today’s landscape is brimming with real threats promising real and costly business impacts.

Earlier this month, our team in Nashville pulled together a group of industry experts for a panel discussion to discuss the current cybersecurity environment and best practices for businesses to prepare for and respond to potential incidents.  Continue reading

Flood Policy Changes That Will Impact the Affordable Housing Industry

FEMA has introduced the largest reform to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rating system since its inception in 1968. The NFIP program premium will now be determined by the risk assessment at individual property levels versus the current more standardized, one-size-fits-all approach. Continue reading

Have a Plan for Responding to Floods

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, with many U.S. communities experiencing some degree of flooding after spring rains, winter snow thaws or heavy thunderstorms. Learning about this weather possibility and how to properly prepare for it can save lives and minimize damage.

Flood Characteristics

Most floods develop slowly over a period of days but flash floods are different, developing like walls of water in a matter of minutes, often due to intense storms or a dam failure. Flooding can create conditions favorable for a fire to occur, either by causing it or by impeding efforts to fight it. While electrical fires can occur for any number of reasons, including overloading of circuits and improper wiring practices, floodwater increases fire danger through short circuits in wiring and electrical equipment.  Continue reading

Mold: Impacts on the Affordable Housing Industry Risk & Insurance Considerations

Mold issues in multi-family housing can lead to many significant impacts – from remediation costs to loss of rent and, perhaps most critically, long-term health effects. Although engineering and construction practices have significantly improved in recent years, affordable housing organizations need to be vigilant around mold issues and concerns.  While insurance coverage is typically relied upon for many property-related losses, there remains a disconnect about how mold claims are often handled by the insurance industry.  Continue reading