Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025

This bill helps communities and homeowners prepare for natural disasters. It lets cities and states use federal funds to adopt and enforce either the current or the previous edition of building codes, instead of only the very latest one. This applies to FEMA’s BRIC grants and the Safeguarding Tomorrow revolving loan fund, making it easier for places to keep up with safety standards at a realistic pace. The bill clarifies that “latest published editions” means the two most recent versions of relevant codes and standards.

It also starts a pilot program to help people pay for home safety upgrades, like elevating homes or utilities, floodproofing, tornado safe rooms, seismic and wildfire retrofits, and wind-resistant roofs and straps. FEMA can use up to 10% of annual BRIC funds for these homeowner grants, with priority for people who show financial need. The program must start within one year and ends on September 30, 2028. FEMA must report on results four years after the bill becomes law .

Key points

• Who is affected: State and local governments; homeowners in areas at risk of floods, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, or strong winds, with a focus on those with financial need .
• What changes: Communities can use either of the two latest building code editions with FEMA funding; a new pilot program offers grants for home resilience upgrades .
• When: Pilot launches within one year of enactment and ends September 30, 2028; FEMA reports back in four years; funding applies only to money appropriated after enactment .