TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced $75 million is now available to local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program. Grant funding can be used by local governments to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high risk flood areas or to match funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

“Governor DeSantis remains committed to the recovery of all communities impacted by Hurricane Irma,” said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “Through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program, DEO aims to reduce the impacts of future storms.” 

The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program is designed to help reduce the impact of future disasters in high risk flood areas. Local governments can apply for funding to acquire secured contiguous lots or single properties. Funding can also be used as leverage to match funding for projects that are also eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency HMGP.

To complete an application by the August 15 deadline, or for more information about the program, visit Floridajobs.org. Rebuild Florida, a partnership of DEO and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, launched in September 2018 to use federal funding for Florida’s long-term disaster recovery efforts. For more information, visit RebuildFlorida.gov.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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