09/30/2021
Unincorporated Bay County homeowners who have experienced repetitive flooding issues may be eligible for a program that would facilitate the partial purchase of their homes using federal funds.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), has funding available through a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, with the application period opening Sept. 30 and ending Oct. 15.
The grant can provide 75 to 100 percent of the home’s value, and, per the program, the homeowner would be responsible for the remaining local match. This program is for people who live in unincorporated Bay County.
Bay County is currently taking applications to help purchase homes from homeowners that have experienced flooding issues and own repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss properties.
Anyone interested in participating in the Acquisition/Demolition Buyout Program must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
1. The homeowner must provide documentation that the property is covered under the National Flood Insurance Program. (Provide a copy of NFIP Insurance Policy)
2. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence.
3. The property must have flooded two or more times, and the homeowner must provide documentation supporting those claims.
4. Grants can be from 75 to 100 percent grant funding, and any match funding is the responsibility of the property owner.
The definitions per the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program include:
Repetitive Loss Property: An insured property with at least two flood claims where the repairs equaled or exceeded 25 percent of the market value of the structure at the time of the flood event. Or, at the time of the second occurrence, the flood insurance contract must include an increased cost of compliance coverage.
Severe Repetitive Loss: An insured property with a flood history of four or more separate claims of $5,000 each with a cumulative total exceeding $20,000 or at least two claim payments where the cumulative amount of two claims exceeds the market value of the structure.
To apply or for more information, please call Bay County Public Works at (850) 248-8301 or email [email protected] before Oct. 15.