1 of 41

CLIMATE RELOCATION

+ BUYOUTS

Designs by Hassan Saleem

Created for NYC Faith Sector Climate Adaptation Working Group on 04.24.25

2 of 41

TERMINOLOGY

VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUT

Governments purchase hazard-prone property with the goal of reducing the number of properties in high risk areas.

→ Pre-storm FMV

→ Property demolished

→ Land typically repurposed for mitigation & community benefit

3 of 41

TERMINOLOGY

VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUT

Governments purchase hazard-prone property with the goal of reducing the number of properties in high risk areas.

→ Pre-storm FMV

→ Property demolished

→ Land typically repurposed for mitigation & community benefit

MANAGED RETREAT

Government-led strategy to move housing and critical infrastructure away from risk.

→ coastal planning

→ buy-out programs

→ regulating development

→ no-build areas;

→ habitat restoration

→ green space

​

​

4 of 41

TERMINOLOGY

VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUT

Governments purchase hazard-prone property with the goal of reducing the number of properties in high risk areas.

→ Pre-storm FMV

→ Property demolished

→ Land typically repurposed for mitigation & community benefit

MANAGED RETREAT

Government-led strategy to move housing and critical infrastructure away from risk.

→ coastal planning

→ buy-out programs

→ regulating development

→ no-build areas;

→ habitat restoration

→ green space

​

​

CLIMATE

RELOCATION

Planned and unplanned movement of people and communities due to climate impacts.

→ emphasis on where people move to

→ what’s needed to move

​

5 of 41

VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUTS

  1. FEDERAL: Funding provided by various federal agencies, typically FEMA & HUD, to a state or local government for the acquisition of properties. Typically tied to the impact of a disaster.

​

  1. STATE: NYS is developing it’s first “blue sky” voluntary buyout program called Blue Buffers with the $250M set aside from the 2022 Environment Bond Act
      • Lead agency: NYS Office of Resilient Homes and Communities

​

  1. LOCAL: NYC is developing it’s own “blue sky” voluntary housing mobility program, as of 2024 PlaNYC
      • Lead agency: NYC Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations

6 of 41

CASE STUDIES

7 of 41

8 of 41

9 of 41

VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUTS

10 of 41

Fed, State, local

11 of 41

12 of 41

13 of 41

14 of 41

15 of 41

16 of 41

17 of 41

18 of 41

19 of 41

20 of 41

21 of 41

22 of 41

23 of 41

24 of 41

25 of 41

26 of 41

27 of 41

Examples of where it’s happened

28 of 41

29 of 41

30 of 41

31 of 41

32 of 41

OAKWOOD BEACH: SITE VISIT

33 of 41

34 of 41

35 of 41

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: BEST PRACTICES FOR VOLUNTARY HOME BUYOUTS

​

  1. Program Design
  2. Program Implementation
  3. Re-Housing Support
  4. Integration of Buyouts into Local Planning
  5. Evaluation, Assessment, and Monitoring

​

36 of 41

PROGRAM DESIGN

  1. Develop an integrated, statewide framework for climate adaptation that includes supported relocation
  2. Invest in collaborative partnerships with multiple state and federal agencies to increase flexibility with local planning procedures. Partner with local organizations to co-design and implement. Respect Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
  3. Prioritize inclusivity in determining eligibility and prioritization. Reduce barriers to entry.
  4. Leverage and diversify funding sources to facilitate a consistent funding stream

37 of 41

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

  1. Create clear, consistent and transparent communication channels
  2. Simplify the enrollment process. Provide multiple intake options
  3. Ensure the program is truly voluntary from start to finish
  4. Create a rolling application process with a flexible timeline
  5. Invest in robust human resources to provide wrap-around-services and case management for participants
  6. Facilitate opportunities for community-building and storytelling

38 of 41

RE-HOUSING SUPPORT

  1. Establish a fair and transparent appraisal process and consider alternative compensation mechanisms when necessary
  2. Reduce waste by enabling homeowners to take household items with them before demolition or work with groups to salvage materials
  3. Consider equitable supplemental payments and incentives to enable broader participation
  4. Develop specific provisions for renters

39 of 41

INTEGRATION OF BUYOUTS INTO LOCAL PLANNING

  1. Encourage local governments to integrate buyouts into other planning initiatives like comprehensive, housing, and hazard mitigation plans
  2. Ask participating governments to review permitting processes to reduce or eliminate future development in flood prone areas and promote housing development in flood-safe locations
  3. Promote post-buyout end use planning to integrate buyouts into conservation, open space ecological restoration, and natural buffer zones
  4. Support resettlement in receiving communities

40 of 41

EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND MONITORING

  1. Create an evaluation plan that incorporates program learning and evolution. Use measurable indicators and metrics in project reporting.
  2. Create a statewide data portal to manage data and track participant outcomes.
  3. Fund pilot projects and celebrate success stories.
  4. Build accountability through evaluations and by soliciting feedback.
  5. Dedicate time for staff to debrief and share best practices and lessons learned to the broader community of buyout practitioners, participants, and knowledge networks.

41 of 41

INTEGRATION OF BUYOUTS INTO LOCAL PLANNING