How Working Together Can Reduce Provincetown’s CRS Rating and Save You Money

Did you know that not-for-profit organizations like the Micro Neighborhood Alliance can directly impact your flood insurance rates?

Through our work in flood resilience, community engagement, and policy advocacy, MNA is helping Provincetown lower its Community Rating System (CRS) score, which determines flood insurance discounts under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Right now, Provincetown has a CRS Class 8 rating, meaning property owners receive a 10% discount on flood insurance. By working together, we can lower our rating to Class 7, increasing the discount to 15% and putting real savings back into the pockets of homeowners and businesses.

What is CRS and Why Does It Matter?

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a FEMA program that rewards towns that take proactive steps to reduce flood risk. The better the CRS score, the bigger the flood insurance discount for residents. Towns earn points for actions such as:

• Improving floodplain management

• Expanding public outreach on flood risks

• Restoring and protecting natural flood buffers

• Strengthening building codes for resilience

MNA is committed to helping Provincetown improve its CRS rating, but this is a community-wide effort—and that’s where you come in.

How MNA is Leading the Effort

MNA is working closely with homeowners, businesses, and local officials to implement CRS creditable activities that can help lower the rating. Some of our current and future initiatives include:

• Educating property owners on FEMA-approved flood mitigation steps

• Promoting nature-based solutions to protect against coastal flooding

• Supporting better floodplain management policies

• Collaborating with town officials to streamline processes and increase CRS credits

By aligning with town priorities and CRS guidelines, MNA is helping bridge the gap between property owners and regulatory agencies, ensuring that flood risk reduction is both effective and community driven.

How You Can Help

Homeowners & Businesses – Learn about elevating structures, freeboard requirements, and floodproofing options that can contribute to a better CRS rating.

Community Members – Advocate for stronger flood resilience measures in town planning and zoning decisions.

Every small action adds up. The more we work together, the stronger our community becomes—and the more we save.