Americans Back Tough Limits on Building in Fire and Flood Zones

 

Jordan Silva

Economic Freedom

Blog post 2

 

Americans Back Tough Limits on Building in Fire and Flood Zones

 

            Building homes in disaster prone areas has become an increasingly important issue for Americans. After the recent hurricanes and fires this year, there is increasing support for the strengthening of building codes, paying people to move, or even banning new construction all together in these high-risk areas. However, many of these areas are home to some of the most expensive real estate in the country and continue to see increasing demand for new construction in these areas.

            Paying people to move from a high-risk area might seem like a good solution unless you yourself live in the area. The government should not be in the business of pushing people out of their homes. When a person buys a home, it is up to them to way the benefits and risks of owning a home in such an area. Also, what if someone simply will not move? Imaging living in a home for 20 years and are told you will be paid to leave.  

            Banning new construction in these areas does not seem to fit with the ideas of economic freedom either. Building new construction creates thousands of jobs and injects money into the economy. This would stop areas from growing and prospering all together. Stopping construction would devalue the homes and businesses already in the area.

            Strengthening the building codes is the best option. Making sure new construction is being built to better withstand todays disasters would be more costly but, these new homes would be safer and better equipped to handle a disaster. This option would also stop the government from forcing you to move from the area or stopping construction all together in an area you have wanted to live in and saved for your whole life.

            In conclusion, people do not want to be told or forced to do something just because the government says so. If a person wants to live on the Florida coast and deal with hurricanes they should be left to do so. The benefit of living in such an area outweighs the costs for many people. Making sure a new home is built better to withstand any disaster is more beneficial then stopping new construction or paying people to leave an area.