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Office of Disaster Recovery > Information on Home Buyouts Information on Home Buyouts

What is a home buyout?

Frequently referred to as “FEMA buyouts,” Hazard Mitigation is led and coordinated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Communities apply with IDHS to have homes substantially damaged by the spring 2008 disaster acquired by the local community using grant funds administered by the state.

Who is responsible for voluntary state acquisitions?

Acquisition is voluntary – communities in conjunction with individuals decide whether or not they would like a property or a group of properties to be acquired using the state grant program. An application is submitted by the local community to IDHS and then it is evaluated by the State and FEMA. If approved, FEMA provides 75% of the cost of acquisition and local communities are responsible for the remaining 25% as well at the future maintenance of the property. The property will be maintained as open public green space.  No permanent structures may be built on the property in the future.

What is the State doing to help local communities with Hazard Mitigation?

$10 million dollars in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) were recently appropriated to the state of Indiana for the purposes of community recovery after the late-spring disaster. The state has allocated these monies to help towns or counties offset their 25% match requirement. The IDHS and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will jointly administer the CDBG funds for the buy-out match.  Priority will be given to communities with the greatest needs taking into account the concentration of families who suffered damage and the strain on local budgets to generate the match obligation. Detailed criteria as well as the appropriate grant applications for both the buy-out program and CDBG match funds will be available from IDHS starting September 2, 2008. Counties and towns should contact Manuela Johnson (mjohnson@dhs.in.gov) for more information.

What do I do if I am interested in State acquisition of property?

If you are a homeowner, you must contact your local officials and inquire as to their plans for state acquisitions. Communities, not individuals, apply for hazard mitigation. If you are currently working with your community to have your property acquired and need additional resources, they may be available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Click here to see process chart for individuals.

If you are a local elected or appointed official, please contact Manuela Johnson at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security: mjohnson@dhs.in.gov