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Voluntary Home Buyout Program
Program Background
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity allocated $75 Million of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds to the Voluntary Home Buyout Program. These funds will allow Monroe County to purchase the property and the home of voluntary sellers who were impacted by Hurricane Irma. The government may purchase these at pre-Hurricane Irma fair market value. The home will be demolished and the land will serve as green space in perpetuity. If deemed necessary, the land may also be used for stormwater drainage or recreational purposes. The homeowner may decline to sell his/her home at any point prior to the closing.
The deadline for application for Monroe County’s Voluntary Home Buyout Program closed in September 2019. If the program reopens, those who filled out an application after the closing date will be notified of future programs are made available.
Properties will be prioritized by the most vulnerable populations located in low- and moderate-income areas, and those at the highest risk for future flooding. In addition to the State required criteria that prioritized vulnerable populations, Monroe County submitted a proposed risk-based local point prioritization system which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
“This is so meaningful to Monroe County recovery,” said Christine Hurley, Assistant Monroe County Administrator. “This is the beginning of changing the face of the Florida Keys by eliminating high-risk properties and recreating a resilient community.”
This program, if used in conjunction with the County’s sustainability infrastructure rebuilding program, will allow the County to approach a “managed retreat” to build a stronger community.
In order to implement the VHBP, Monroe County will seek the technical expertise and staff augmentation of experienced vendor services in the areas of administrative support, survey, appraisals, legal and closings, environmental assessments, historical assessments, and demolition services.
Estimated Timeline for Completion
December 2020 Program Update – Tier 1 Environmental Review Record Approved
Monroe County has received the approval of the required Tier 1 Environmental Review of the program. The links below provide access to the related documents:
- DEO Approval of Environmental Review Record - December 2020
- Monroe County Voluntary Home Buyout Program Environmental Review Record – Tier 1 / Environmental Assessment
- NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
- AVISO DE DETERMINACIÓN DE NO IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO YAVISO DE INTENCIÓN DE SOLICITAR LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS
August 2020 Program Update – the following information was mailed to pre-registered applicants:
Monroe County is working with the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on program implementation at this time. We are on schedule to begin the formal application process in December 2020, or early 2021. At that time, all pre-registered applicants will need to complete the full application and submit all HUD required documents. The application process will allow us to make determinations of eligibility and prioritization per program requirements.
If you are pre-registered and did not receive this information in the mail, call Cynthia Guerra at 305-453-8756 or email Buyouts@monroecounty-fl.gov to update your contact information and verify your continued interest in the program. The deadline to pre-register for Monroe County’s Voluntary Home Buyout Program closed Sept. 23, 2019. If the program reopens, those who filled out an application after the closing date will be notified.
Sub-applicant Agreement Executed
On May 20, 2020, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners executed the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Voluntary Home Buyout Program sub-applicant agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Citizen Participation Plan
Citizen Complaint Policy for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Programs
Citizens are encouraged to submit their views and proposals on all aspects of a Community Development Block Grant Programs (CDBG) at the public hearings when funds are requested and approved by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Citizens may, at any time, submit written comments or complaints to Monroe County to the contact listed below. Local officials shall make every effort to provide written responses to citizen proposals or complaints within fifteen (15) working days of the receipt of such comments or complaints where practicable. Should, after a reasonable period, a party believes that his/her comment or complaint has not been properly addressed or considered, then the aggrieved may appeal his/her case to Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at any regularly scheduled public meeting.
Should Monroe County be unable to sufficiently resolve an objection or complaint, it may be forwarded by the aggrieved party to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) at the contact listed below. The state will make every effort to provide a timely written response within 15 working days of the receipt of the complaint, where practicable. The aim of the state will be to always attempt to resolve complaints in a manner that is both sensitive to the complainant’s concerns and achieves a fair result.
Citizens may, at any time, contact the DEO and/or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development directly to register comments, objections or complaints concerning Monroe County CDBG application(s) and/or program(s). Citizens are encouraged, however, to attempt to resolve any complaints at the local level as outlined above prior to contacting the DEO or HUD.
All comments or complaints may be submitted to the following:
Monroe County Voluntary Home Buyout Program
102050 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Rebuild Florida Constituent Services
Rebuild Florida Program
107 E. Madison Street
Caldwell Building, MSC 160
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Community Planning and Development Division
Atlanta Regional Office
Five Points Plaza Building
40 Marietta Street
Atlanta, Fa 30303-2806
Records of all comments, objections and/or complaints by citizens concerning the Monroe County CDBG programs and subsequent action taken in response to those comments will be maintained on file at Monroe County and shall be made available for public inspection upon request.
Complaint files will include the following:
- The name of the person who filed the complaint;
- The date the complaint was received;
- A description of the complaint;
- The name of each person contacted in relation to the complaint;
- A summary of the results of the review or investigation of the complaint; and
- An explanation of the resolution (e.g., the reason the file was closed).
On May 20, 2020, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved the Citizen Complaint Procedure.
More Information
Interested homeowners can find more information and the application at the DEO website. The DEO application period is closed. Additional questions can be directed to rebuildflorida@deo.myflorida.com.
Public Meeting: Voluntary Home Buyout Program
On July 22, 2019, Monroe County held a public meeting regarding the Voluntary Home Buyout Program. To view the hearing, click Video on Demand.
Designated Citizen Participation Coordinators
Monroe County
- Cynthia Guerra, Land Acquisition Manager
- Buyouts@monroecounty-fl.gov
- 305-453-8756
Marathon
- George Garrett
- garrettg@ci-marathon.fl.us
- 305-743-0033
- For information on the CDBG-DR Voluntary Home Buyout Program for the City of Marathon, visit https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/planning/page/voluntary-home-buyout-program-1.
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Cynthia Guerra
Land Acquisition ManagerPhone: 305-453-8756