Bunnell, FL - The deadline for the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program has been extended to October 1. The program was created to encourage risk reduction through the purchase of residential property in high flood-risk areas to help reduce the impact of future disasters.
Flagler County is taking part in the program and Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord encourages residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma to find out more. He says you can do that by contacting the office or sending an email to request a voluntary participation form. The request needs to start with the county as they are the official applicant with the state of Florida. The Emergency Management Office needs the forms back from residents by September 5 in order to determine whether they are eligible for the program.
Lord says if a homeowner qualifies, the county would purchase the property from them with funds supplied by the state of Florida through the Voluntary Home Buyout program. The acquired homes will be demolished, and the property will remain open space in perpetuity.
As of today, only one homeowner has completed the application with Flagler County as per the original deadline of August 14. That application has been filed with the state. Lord encourages homeowners whose property was damaged by Hurricane Irma to contact his office for the voluntary participation form. He said he understands people's attachment to their homes but says but for some homeowners, this may be there only option to recover from Hurricane Irma damage.
Lord said to contact the office, the number is 386-313-4243 or by email, at EOC@flaglercounty.org You can also find more information on the program itself by following the link.
