BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
How it works
Before you go
For homeowners in ood-prone areas, Lumbley said documentation matters. Residents should save photos, repair receipts, insurance claims, FEMA documents, Small Business Administration Disaster loan information and anything tied to storm damage. Lumbley said to also keep digital copies and store records somewhere outside the home. “You are not a number, or a le. You are a person,” Lumbley said. “At the end of the day, we still have to follow the program and rules and guidelines, but we want you to feel like you are heard, and we try to look at all di erent aspects to make sure we are sending you down the right path, or open up other options if they exist.” If a buyout opportunity opens years later, those records can help prove damage and keep the process moving.
The second, Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, is tied to speci c storms. The years in between a buyout can still bring repair bills, as homes, if not purchased, may have to become compliant with regulations, Lumbley said. Houston Association of Realtors Chair Theresa Hill said buyers should get ood insurance quotes early in the homebuying process, since rising insurance costs can signi cantly a ect a home’s overall monthly payment.
Two main federal programs fund property buyouts, and each has its own rules. The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant targets homes with “repetitive loss” or “severe repetitive loss” designations, per documents—meaning multiple signi cant claims have been led through the National Flood Insurance Program. An active NFIP policy is needed for eligibility. NFIP insurance cost Adams nearly $2,400 last year—and it keeps climbing, she said. Without it, she wouldn’t qualify for a buyout.
From application to closing
Homeowner expresses interest
County matches the property to an available grant
Eligibility is reviewed
Appraisal is completed
O er letter is sent
Closing occurs
Structure is demolished and land becomes open space
SOURCES: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, FEMA COMMUNITY IMPACT
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