The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is calling on lawmakers to elevate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to an independent Cabinet level agency outside of the Department of Homeland Security. There is an urgent need for a fully staffed, modernized, and proactive disaster response system to safeguard communities and support economic recovery amid increasingly severe extreme weather events, and AIA believes this is the best way forward to achieve that.

From 1980 through 2025, weather and climate disasters cost the U.S. $149 billion annually, with cumulative costs exceeding $3.1 trillion, according to NOAA and other research organizations. Budget cuts, staff reductions, and delayed disaster declarations have hindered FEMA's ability to provide timely recovery, leaving vulnerable communities struggling to rebuild. To address these challenges, AIA has outlined several urgent priorities for immediate federal action. 

1. Fully Staff and Confirm Qualified FEMA Leadership

FEMA’s reduced staffing and limited capacity are constraining disaster response. A fully staffed agency—with a Senate-confirmed administrator and strong, experienced leadership across headquarters and regional offices—is essential for year-round risk reduction, response, and recovery.

2. Embed Support of Strong Codes and Standards Across All FEMA Programs

FEMA programs should consistently prioritize and incentivize stronger, forward-looking building codes and standards to reduce future risks. Building codes are minimum safety standards designed to protect life, not to prevent damage or ensure long-term performance. Federal investments should encourage going above code to address the severity of disruptions wherever possible. By doing so, taxpayer dollars would be treated as valuable long-term investments in the safety and stability of communities.

3. Strengthen Risk Data, Mapping, and Decision Tools

Clear, reliable risk data—flood, wildfire, extreme heat, storms, and more—is essential for informed design and construction decisions. Federal investments must improve data accuracy and accessibility to support vulnerability assessments and resilience planning. Empowering communities with accurate, actionable risk data will reduce risks and prioritize investments in resilience.

Advances in digital twin technology, satellite data, and artificial intelligence now allow for better models that reflect current and future risks—ensuring investments and infrastructure decisions are based on the best available hazard science. Federal risk data underpins many private-sector tools in use today. As a core public good, it must remain accurate, current, and accessible to all communities.

4. Modernize Disaster Declarations for Consistency and Accountability

The current disaster declaration process is hindered by outdated, inconsistently applied thresholds, broad discretion, delays, and complex administrative requirements. These issues create uncertainty for communities and slow response and recovery. These inefficiencies disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, leaving them without the timely support needed to rebuild and recover. 

A more predictable, transparent, and modernized approach is needed to strengthen trust, improve outcomes, and ensure federal support complements—rather than replaces—state and local efforts. This approach must also reinforce incentives for adaptation, mitigation, and long-term risk reduction.

5. Protect Communities with Resilient Infrastructure

Investments in infrastructure should reduce risk over time—not lock in future losses. FEMA’s mitigation programs (BRIC, HMGP, and Public Assistance mitigation) must be strengthened and expanded alongside preparedness, training, planning, and data systems to support risk reduction, faster recovery, and stronger long-term outcomes.

6. Expand Incentives and Financing Tools for Resilient Construction

Communities need simpler, more flexible ways to invest in resilience, especially for smaller, property-level projects. Expanding grants, loans, and insurance programs for adaptation, preparation, and planning will reduce risk before disasters occur.

7. Strengthen Federal Leadership for Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Resilient Recovery; Reimagine FEMA

To effectively respond to disaster risk and rebuild areas affected by extreme weather events, the U.S. Government needs a bold, comprehensive approach—a new FEMA. A reimagined independent, cabinet-level agency, reporting directly to the president would provide the leadership and coordination necessary to address the growing challenges of disaster response and climate adaptation. While interagency coordination structures exist, they are not sufficiently resourced or empowered to deliver the level of integration, speed, and support that states and communities need.

Integrating FEMA, NOAA, and other select disaster response and environmental policy teams under one agency will streamline federal efforts, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance preparedness.

This agency could expedite funding to distressed areas, lessen risk and impacts, coordinate research, and protect Americans through free and independent weather and climate data.

AIA is urging policymakers to consider these principles.  Learn more about AIA’s climate action advocacy on AIA’s website.