Integrating Community Concerns and Recommendations Into Home Buyout and Relocation Policy

Abstract

Home buyout programs are implemented in the aftermath of disasters, with the goal of moving households or entire communities out of areas that are at risk for a future hazard event. Buyout programs offer residents pre‐disaster market value for their homes to relocate away from a hazardous area, and land purchased through buyouts is required to be maintained as open space in perpetuity. Our understanding of how these programs impact affected households and communities, however, is limited. Using a mixed methods design, 36 residents of Oakwood Beach, NY, were asked to describe their experiences with a home buyout program that was implemented in their community after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. While survey results showed that residents were generally satisfied with the buyout, a different picture emerged when they were asked to qualitatively describe the process of being bought out. Their experiences centered around three themes: (i) lack of information and communication from buyout officials; (ii) challenges surrounding the process of sale; and (iii) the buyout as a foregone conclusion. In light of these findings, recommendations are made to inform future home buyout programs and relocation policies.