Brookhaven approves federal buyout for two flood plain properties

Brookhaven, GA, Mar. 24, 2020 – The Brookhaven City Council approved the purchase of two residential properties through a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).These are the first properties to be acquired using FEMA funds in Brookhaven’s history. 

The properties, located at 2652 and 2668 South Bamby Lane, were purchased for $385,000 and $255,000 respectively.  Under the terms of the award, FEMA contributed $480,000, the State contributed $32,000, with the remaining $128,000 paid by the City of Brookhaven from the Stormwater Fund.

“This is an important landmark for those residents that have suffered through years of repetitive flood events,” said Mayor John Ernst.  “While we declare victory here, there are still many more that are eligible for this voluntary buyout, and we will continue to work with them to give them an option to participate in this program.”

Brookhaven worked with homeowners to submit applications for 11 high-risk floodplain properties for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. All were accepted by FEMA in December of last year. The program is completely voluntary and will sunset March 31, 2021. Once complete, the City plans to remove the houses and convert the area to permanent greenspace.

District 2 Council Member John Park agreed that the FEMA buyout comes at a critical time, given the increase in flooding recently.

“These people have endured much, for a number of years.  Property owners approached Council and City staff for assistance and I am pleased we worked successfully with the State of Georgia to secure funding to make a buyout possible, bring a resolution to the flooding in this area, and mitigate flooding in other areas of the City,” said Council Member Park.

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