flooded houses

Buyout

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The Voluntary Buyout Pathway provides an option for homeowners whose properties are located in areas that have experienced repetitive flooding or are at high risk for future flood damage. Through this pathway, eligible homeowners may choose to sell their property to Volusia County using funding provided by the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Homeowner Recovery Program.

If approved, the County purchases the home at its pre-disaster fair market value, and the structure is removed. The land is then maintained as open space or stormwater infrastructure to reduce future flood risk and protect surrounding neighborhoods.

Important: Participation is completely voluntary, and not all properties will qualify. Applicants must meet program eligibility requirements, including income, ownership, and residency verification.

To be considered for the buyout pathway, apply through the Homeowner Recovery Program application portal. You will be prompted within the application to indicate your interest in a buyout.

Homeowner Recovery Application Portal

If you need help applying, please call our office at 386-943-7029 or email transform386@volusia.org.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Voluntary Buyout Pathway, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • The property must be located within the designated 100-year floodplain or Disaster Risk Reduction Area (DRRA) 
  • The home must have been impacted by Hurricane Ian and/or Milton
  • The applicant must be the legal property owner and occupy the home as their primary residence
  • The local jurisdiction must agree to accept ownership and long-term maintenance of the property
  • The household must meet the income guidelines in place at the time of application
    • HUD has established the maximum income threshold at 80% of the Area Median Income. As of May 1, 2025, the income thresholds by the number of people residing within a household are as follows:

Size

( 30%)

(50%)

(80%)

(120%)

1

$19,000

$31,650

$50,650

 $75,960

2

$21,700

$36,200

$57,850

 $86,880

3

$26,650

$40,700

$65,100

 $97,680

4

$32,150

$45,200

$72,300

 $108,480

5

$37,650

$48,850

$78,100

 $117,240

6

$43,150

$52,450

$83,900

 $125,880

Available Incentives

  • Moving Expense Incentive: $5,000 to assist with relocation
  • Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Incentive: $25,000 for households at or below 80% AMI
  • Market Adjustment Incentive: If the current market value exceeds the pre-disaster value, the difference may be provided

Total assistance is subject to program limits and eligibility requirements.

Buyout Process Flow
STEP 01
Application
Submit application and required documentation.
STEP 02
Eligibility Review
Income, ownership, and duplication of benefits are reviewed.
STEP 03
Jurisdiction Approval
City/County agrees to own and maintain the property.
STEP 04
Appraisal
An independent appraisal ordered by the County determines value.
STEP 05
Offer & Contract
The offer is issued and signed by the homeowner.
STEP 06
Closing
Property is sold, and payment is issued.

What Happens After a Buyout?

  • The home is demolished
  • The land cannot be redeveloped
  • A permanent deed restriction is placed on the property
  • The property is maintained as open space or for flood control

Disaster Risk Reduction Areas (DRRA)

Transform386 and local municipalities have identified high-risk areas known as Disaster Risk Reduction Areas (DRRA). If your property is located within one of these areas, you may be considered for the pathway even if you are not in the 100-year flood plain. However, all applicants must still meet eligibility requirements, including income qualifications.

View the DRRA Map

Video coming soon on how to navigate the DRRA map!

City Participation

The following city commissions have adopted resolutions supporting participation in voluntary residential buyout:

Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach Shores
Debary
DeLand
Deltona
Edgewater
Holly Hill
Lake Helen
New Smyrna Beach
Orange City
Ormond Beach
Ponce Inlet
Port Orange
South Daytona

If you believe the city you reside in should be included, please contact your local municipality directly to express interest in participating. By adopting these resolutions, each city is formally expressing its intent to collaborate with the county on potential buyout opportunities for eligible properties within its jurisdiction. Please note that adoption of a resolution does not guarantee that specific properties will be purchased. Each city will review proposed parcels on a case-by-case basis to determine acceptance of the parcel and must agree to assume long-term ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the property following acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this pathway funded?
This program is funded through federal disaster recovery funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. These funds are allocated to support long-term recovery efforts, including reducing future flood risk and assisting eligible homeowners.
Do I have to accept the buyout offer?
No. You can accept, reject, or appeal the offer if you believe the valuation is inaccurate.
How much will I receive for my home?
Eligible homeowners may receive the pre-disaster fair market value of their home, as determined by an independent appraisal. In addition, homeowners may qualify for the following incentives:
  • $5,000 Moving Expense Incentive to assist with relocation costs
  • $25,000 Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Incentive for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Market Adjustment Incentive, if applicable, which provides the difference if the current market value exceeds the pre-disaster value
Total assistance, including incentives, is subject to program limits and eligibility requirements.
Do I have to move right away?
Closing will be scheduled in coordination with the homeowner, and the property must be vacated prior to closing.
Can the land be rebuilt later?
No. Properties are permanently restricted and must remain as open space or for flood control use.