Category: Property & Casualty

OSHA Recordkeeping Understanding the Requirements & Why It’s Not Just About Compliance

Maintaining a safe workplace is a top priority for any organization, not just for the well-being of employees but also to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Proper recordkeeping and reporting of employee injuries and illnesses is a critical component of workplace safety and compliance and should be part of your organization’s overall risk management strategy. Integrating this knowledge into your organizational culture not only supports compliance but also fosters a commitment to workplace safety and health for every employee. Continue reading

Affordable Housing Insurance Challenges: Understanding the Market

Whether you are an owner, developer or property manager working in the affordable housing industry, you are undoubtedly facing challenges related to your insurance program that are …Continue Reading

Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Since ChatGPT was released just over a year ago, business leaders in nearly every industry are increasingly investigating the potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI). Although AI …Continue Reading

Affordable Housing’s Pull Cord Problem and the Unintended Insurance Ramifications

The affordable housing community, specifically HUD Section 202 for elderly housing, is experiencing an avoidable crisis. This crisis originates from the expanded scope of service and responsibility placed upon affordable housing organizations by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD Section 202 for elderly subsidized housing specifically states that the program provides options to allow seniors to age in their community by providing independent elderly living in an environment that offers support for community-based services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation (Perl, 2010). Yet HUD’s most recent Minimum Property Standards for Multifamily Housing handbook states that all elderly multifamily communities must install call-for-aid systems (HUD, 1994). Therefore, the requirement for continuous call-for-aid systems, such as pull cords, forces affordable housing owners and operators to engage in the practice of nonstop-24/7-resident monitoring. In our highly litigious society, the requirement for continual resident monitoring represents a significant liability for potential future legal action. Insurance companies have taken notice of this potential liability and have responded with action.  Continue reading

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