TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the extension of the deadline for local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma to apply for grant funding through the $75 million Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program. The original application deadline of August 15, 2019, has been extended to October 1, 2019. 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. “By extending the deadline for local governments to apply for Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program grant funding, DEO is giving communities impacted by Hurricane Irma every opportunity to apply for funding 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 extended October 1 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.