Voluntary home buyouts are used by the Harris County Flood Control District to reduce flood damages in areas hopelessly deep in the floodplain where structural flood damage reduction projects, like channel modifications or detention basins, are not cost effective and/or beneficial. Generally, these are homes that should have never been built. More than 60 percent of the county was developed before floodplain regulations were implemented in the 1980s.
The Flood Control District’s Voluntary Home Buyout Program does not provide immediate flood recovery assistance – its primary function is to help prevent future flood damages. While some grant funds may be made available after a disaster declaration, these buyout grants do not provide immediate …show more content…
The home buyout process will not begin until funding is available. The Flood Control District Home Buyout Program is currently on hold pending future funding that may be received in response to Hurricane Harvey, a Presidential declared disaster. Once funding is obtained, the Flood Control District will begin to identify candidates for buyout that meet the necessary criteria (such as the source of flooding, the property’s location and depth within the floodplain, and other determining factors).
2. Where does the funding come from?
Grants are available through two separate federal grantors: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is a complex process associated with applying for these funds, and any local governmental entity may apply for funding. The Flood Control District is one of many local governmental entities that is eligible to apply for Community Block Development Grants, as well as grants through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
3. It is a lengthy process: These programs typically take eight to twelve months after the flood event to even get started, and then may take place over a period of many years following a flood
The Flood Control District’s Voluntary Home Buyout Program does not provide immediate flood recovery assistance – its primary function is to help prevent future flood damages. While some grant funds may be made available after a disaster declaration, these buyout grants do not provide immediate …show more content…
The home buyout process will not begin until funding is available. The Flood Control District Home Buyout Program is currently on hold pending future funding that may be received in response to Hurricane Harvey, a Presidential declared disaster. Once funding is obtained, the Flood Control District will begin to identify candidates for buyout that meet the necessary criteria (such as the source of flooding, the property’s location and depth within the floodplain, and other determining factors).
2. Where does the funding come from?
Grants are available through two separate federal grantors: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is a complex process associated with applying for these funds, and any local governmental entity may apply for funding. The Flood Control District is one of many local governmental entities that is eligible to apply for Community Block Development Grants, as well as grants through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
3. It is a lengthy process: These programs typically take eight to twelve months after the flood event to even get started, and then may take place over a period of many years following a flood