REBUILD FLORIDA VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUT PROGRAM DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCT. 1, 2019 

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the extension of the deadline for local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma to apply for grant funding through the $75 million Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program.

The State of Florida has allocated $10 million to Monroe County through the program. The voluntary program was created to encourage risk reduction through the purchase of residential property in high flood-risk areas impacted by Hurricane Irma.

The application deadline for the County to submit the application to the DEO was extended to Oct. 1, 2019. Interested homeowners must notify the County prior to September 23, 2019 to be included in the application. Grant funds will allow the government to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high-risk flood areas at the pre-Hurricane Irma fair market value for both the land and the structure. Priority properties are located in low- and moderate-income areas. Any existing structures will be demolished, and the property will be used for permanent open space, conservation, recreation, or stormwater management systems in perpetuity.

As of Aug. 19, unincorporated Monroe County received 41 applications. The City of Marathon and Village of Islamorada are also participating in the program. The County and the City of Marathon will be submitting the first round of applications this week to be considered for early review. The County and cities will submit any additional applications received prior to Sept. 23 to DEO by the deadline.

If you are interested in selling your property, fill out the Monroe County Voluntary Home Buyout Interest Survey at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/homebuyout and sign the “Voluntary Acknowledge Form” required by the State of Florida. For more information about the program, contact [email protected] in unincorporated Monroe County, [email protected] in the City of Marathon, or [email protected] in the Village of Islamorada.

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