FEMA May Permit New Homes On Same Sites After Buyouts

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are expected to decide soon on a rule change that would allow owners of homes destroyed by storms and bought out by the government…

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are expected to decide soon on a rule change that would allow owners of homes destroyed by storms and bought out by the government to rebuild on that same land by following local development building codes.

The current policy of FEMA is to demolish those homes and leave the property as open space by removing homes vulnerable from floods. 

The new rule was proposed in February and public comment on the proposed rule change closed on April 30.

A policy adviser of the Association of State Floodplain Managers and a lawyer with the Natural Resource Defense Council, however, pointed out that allowing people to rebuild their homes on flood plains would defeat the purpose of the buyouts that are intended to limit future costs of disasters by limiting development on that property.

FEMA officials are expected to review the public comments and decide soon on the proposed change of rules for buyouts.

This story originally published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc.