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The City of Dickinson received an allocation of $9,219,828 through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) MOD. This money will be used as the sole funding source for the City’s voluntary Buyout and Acquisition program. This program will offer buyouts and acquisitions to property owners in eligible areas of the City who suffered real property damage during Hurricane Harvey. Per HUD requirements, 70% of the allocation’s project costs will be spent serving low-to-moderate income households. Property owners must be able to prove direct or indirect impact from Harvey to be considered eligible. All offers to purchase made through this program are capped at the FHA lending limit in Dickinson, Galveston County3, which is $331,760.00 for a single-family home or $424,800.00 for a two-family home.
It is the intent of the City of Dickinson to utilize this funding opportunity to help our citizens who cannot otherwise afford to move out of harm’s way, the opportunity to relocate to an area that is safer for them and their families as well as provide future mitigation alternatives. With approximately 85 property parcels that lay within the floodway and floodplains of the City of Dickinson, buying out homes or acquiring property that have been repetitively damaged in flood events over the years, including Hurricanes Ike and Harvey, will allow land to either be redeveloped or returned to a green state to regain its ability to absorb and slow floodwaters, thereby helping to mitigate flood damage to remaining structures in the future. Additionally, properties acquired for future development and/or mitigation will allow new and safer housing opportunities for citizens.
In doing this, we lessen our burden on our nation to continuously provide disaster relief; and lessen the dangers our first responders must endure when they are called upon to rescue those in harm’s way.
Is this program available to those who purchased their home after Hurricane Harvey?
No. The section titled “Buyout Applicants Who Purchased the Property After the Date of Disaster” on Page 26 of the City of Dickinson’s Housing Guidelines reads “Individuals that purchased a flood impacted home after the date of disaster are not eligible for assistance under this program”.
What is the difference between buyout and acquisition?
Buyout programs are intended for removing residents out of the floodplains and floodways, and property purchased by the City through this program will remain greenspace in perpetuity. Acquisition allows the City to purchase property and redevelop the land subject to Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery specifications and other federal requirements. The Texas General Land Office provides information in greater detail on the difference between buyout and acquisition if you are interested in learning more.
If I opt for buyout but majority of neighbors do not, does that affect my chances of being chosen?
No. Your application is not impacted by your neighbors’ decision to participate or not participate in this program.
Please use this page to guide you through the process of applying to be considered for the buy out and acquisition program.
Link to pageYvonne Briscoe
Senior Planner
City Hall
4403 Highway 3
Dickinson, TX 77539
Ph: 281-337-2253
Fx: 281-337-6190