Prior buyout programs in New York City, like New York Rising and Build It Back, focused on recovery from Hurricane Sandy and participation was limited to homes impacted by that disaster. Resilient Acquisitions is designed to provide a flexible, ongoing opportunity for homeowners living in high-flood-risk homes to sell their homes and move before another storm hits New York City. If another storm hits the City, Resilient Acquisitions could be used to assist in post-disaster recovery. We will use multiple funding sources, and availability of acquisitions will depend on funding availability.

Resilient Acquisitions is designed to assist homeowners of one- to four-residential unit properties who are interested in selling their homes and relocating because of high flood risk. Tenants living in homes whose owners choose to participate in the program will also be provided support services. Other property types may also be included (e.g., vacant lots) where those acquisitions support flood resilience goals and as funding is available.

Resilient Acquisitions can support homeowners with different kinds of flood risk, including coastal flooding from hurricanes and other storms, flooding from high tides, flooding along rivers, and flooding from heavy rainfall.

You can view the City’s stormwater flood maps and coastal flood maps to learn more about flood risk across the city. Please note that these maps show estimates of flood risk, but flood maps may not cover all areas that face flood risk.

Flood maps show estimates and projections of flood risk, but flood maps may not cover all areas that face flood risk. Participants will be considered if their home has flooded or is at high risk of flooding. You can view the City’s stormwater flood maps and coastal flood maps to learn more about flood risk projections.

Resilient Acquisitions is intended to have flexible timelines to meet homeowners’ needs. Timelines can vary significantly depending on the project, the homeowner’s timeline for relocating, the timeline for tenant relocation, the specific type of funding and the associated requirements, home title clearance, and City processes for land transfer. Acquisitions are a long-term process, and it may take several years for acquisition projects to begin.

Please note that no projects will begin until funding is identified, and the Expression of Interest form is not an application.

The program is designed to purchase high-flood-risk homes from homeowners. We recommend talking to your landlord and asking them to submit an Expression of Interest form if they are interested in selling the home to the City. If they express interest, we will contact your landlord if there is an opportunity to advance an acquisition project in your neighborhood, and they should update you on the determination. If your landlord participates, the program will provide tenants with protections and relocation support services.

If you do not want to sell your home and relocate, there are other options to retrofit your home to be more resilient to flooding. Resilient Retrofits, HomeFix, and Energy Fit are programs that will help to retrofit or repair your home. You can learn more about different flood retrofit options at FloodHelpNY.

If you are a homeowner in the Jewel Streets, please reach out to us to learn more about retrofit options in your neighborhood at info-RA@recovery.nyc.gov or 844-208-3181.