Coastal resilience is on the ballot this cycle, and if you own property in Hampton Roads, this race has a direct line to your wallet.
Federal funding for flood mitigation, the future of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, and investment in military base infrastructure all run through Congress. Whoever represents Virginia's second congressional district will have a seat at that table. That matters whether you live two blocks from the water or three miles inland.
What Coastal Resilience Means for Property Values in Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach sits in one of the fastest-sinking regions on the East Coast. The land is subsiding while sea levels rise, and that combination pushes flood insurance costs up and property values in vulnerable areas down. The state has committed significant funding to coastal resilience projects, but local organizations and government agencies are clear that federal support is not optional. As the Wetlands Watch director put it, the state cannot do this alone. Whoever wins this seat needs to be a national leader on the issue.
For homeowners, that federal leadership translates into concrete outcomes: whether FEMA recalculates flood zone maps in your favor or against you, whether infrastructure dollars flow to drainage upgrades in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and whether the military installations that anchor this region's economy get the resilience investment they need to stay operational. If you're sitting on equity in a flood-adjacent neighborhood, those outcomes affect what your home is worth. Find out what your home is worth →
What the Candidates Have Said
The incumbent has made coastal resilience a stated priority, telling Inside Climate News she will continue leading efforts to address the economic and national security impacts of climate change on the local community, invest in energy projects, and protect clean air and water. Lacy Shirey, executive director of a local environmental organization, described the shoreline as a shared resource requiring commitment at every level of government, from residents to federal legislators.
Flood events in Norfolk in 2022 put visible pressure on that argument. The question voters face is which candidate will carry the most weight in Washington on appropriations, NFIP reform, and Army Corps of Engineers project funding.
What This Means For You
• Flood insurance rates are tied to federal policy. Congressional action, or inaction, on NFIP reform directly changes what you pay each year.
• Army Corps projects protecting Virginia Beach and Norfolk neighborhoods depend on federal appropriations that a local representative fights for or doesn't.
• Military installations drive housing demand across Hampton Roads. Base resilience funding protects that demand long term.
• If you own in a flood-prone area, your home's resale value is partly a bet on whether federal investment continues. Find out what your home is worth →
This is not a partisan argument. It's a property value argument, a community infrastructure argument, and for a lot of families here, a financial security argument. Read both candidates' positions on coastal resilience before you vote. The shoreline you're protecting is your own.
For more local housing and community coverage, visit the Legacy Home Search blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does federal coastal resilience funding affect flood insurance costs in Virginia Beach?
Federal investment in flood mitigation projects, like Army Corps drainage improvements and shoreline protection, can lower the risk profile of neighborhoods and reduce FEMA flood insurance premiums over time. When Congress underfunds these projects or delays NFIP reform, homeowners in flood zones absorb the cost through higher annual premiums.
Can a single congressional representative actually influence what happens to Hampton Roads flooding?
Yes, in meaningful ways. Representatives on key committees control appropriations for Army Corps of Engineers projects, influence how FEMA flood maps are drawn and updated, and shape national flood insurance policy. A representative who actively advocates for Hampton Roads projects versus one who does not can be the difference between a funded drainage project and a waiting list.
Does coastal flooding risk affect home values in areas that don't flood directly?
It can. When flood insurance costs rise sharply in nearby neighborhoods, buyer demand shifts, which ripples into pricing across a broader area. Military base investment tied to coastal resilience also affects rental demand and home prices well beyond the immediate shoreline, touching communities throughout Hampton Roads.