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Buyout Process

 

View CDBG Buyout Information Here
View HMGP Buyout Information Here

 

CDBG Buyout Information

The City of Iowa City has been awarded $11.7 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to buyout substantially damaged residential properties in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood located in the 500-year floodplain. A total of 54 properties will receive an initial buyout offer from the City.

An official buyout offer from the City Attorney’s Office will be sent out to all homeowners on the buyout list in mid-January 2010. The offer will be 112% of 2008 assessed property value for homeowners that owned the property at the time of the flood. If the owner did not own the property at the time of the flood, the offer will be at the current market rate. Each owner has the right to appeal the value listed in the offer to purchase. The following letter from Sue Dulek, Asst. City Attorney, describes the buyout process and appeals process in more detail: view letter.

Appeal Process & Form

Archive of Updates sent to buyout applicants:

Opportunity for non-FEMA buyout (July 14, 2009)
CDBG Buyout Update (August 31, 2009)
CDBG Buyout Approval (November 16, 2009)
CDBG Buyout (December 9, 2009)

Recent Updates

(posted 5-29-09) Applications Now Being Accepted for Downpayment Assistance Program for New Homes. The City of Iowa City was recently awarded $2,282,393 for a new state funded program that will help replace housing that was lost during last summer's flood. The "Single Family New Construction Unit Program....learn more

(posted 5-29-09) Web Site Focuses on Year-Later Needs for Disaster Survivors. A new website is available to help Iowans find information about how to get help to deal with lingering stress in the wake of natural disasters a year ago. The site, www.projectrecoveryiowa.org, features information about Project Recovery Iowa’s services, including free confidential crisis counseling.

The information is important because the anniversary of a disaster can reawaken a wide range of feelings and reactions among survivors, according to Bill Gardam, administrator of the Mental Health and Disability Services division of the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Project Recovery Iowa, administered by the DHS, teaches coping skills, assesses immediate needs, and guides people to resources for ongoing support. Free confidential counseling sessions can take place in homes or other settings rather than in offices or clinics. If needed, mental health professionals will also provide referrals to other long-term recovery resources.

The Iowa Concern Hotline, 1-800-447-1985, is the entry point for Project Recovery Iowa services. Confidential counseling is available at all hours.

HMGP Buyout Information

(posted 5-20-09) Memo to City Council from staff re: HMGP Program Update & Administrative Plan

 

(posted 5-08-09) On Thursday May 7th Congressman Loebsack announced that Iowa City had been awarded $8.6 million in FEMA funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. These funds will be combined with state and local funds allocated through the Community Development Block Grant Program to help Iowa City acquire 39 homes and one vacant lot affected by last year’s flood. This acquisition will protect the community from future damages while reducing emergency response and evacuation costs. The properties, which include 39 homes and one vacant lot, are located on Taft Speedway, Park Road, Normandy Drive, and Eastmoor Drive in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood. Iowa City hopes to have most acquisitions completed by spring 2010.

 (posted 4-29-09) Copy of City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes' letter to prospective recipients of buyouts dated 4-20-09

(posted 3-18-09) Governor announces 16 Iowa counties ready to accept applications for Disaster-Related Unmet Needs Grants - New Program Provided Impacted Iowans additional disaster assistance.

Each household can get up to $2,500. The grants can be used for personal property, home repair, food assistance, mental health assistance, child care and temporary housing related to the disasters. Applicants have until June 30, 2010 to apply. The grants are available to families with household incomes up to three times the federal poverty level. (Example: the income eligibility limit for a family of two would be approximately $42,000).

Applicants should apply to the Long-Term Recovery Committee that covers the county where they lived when the disaster ouccurred. The Local Long-Term Recovery Committee is the Crisis Center, 319-351-2726. Go to http://www.rio.iowa.gov/news/releases/2009/031309_disaster_grant.html for more information.

(update: 1/23/09) City Submits HMGP Buyout Application to FEMA  learn more

Past Activities

View Voluntary Flood Buyout Map (updated 1/9/2009)

Iowa City is applying for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to acquire substantially damaged homes in the Iowa River flood plain. Once funds have been received, an offer will be made to each eligible homeowner. If a homeowner wishes to contest the amount of the offer, the HMGP appeals process procedure document explains the process that will be used. The HMGP appeals form will need to be completed by the homeowner and returned to the City of Iowa City to start the appeals process. (posted 3:00 PM; 12/11/08)
HMGP Appeals Procedure (rev. 4/20/09)

HMGP Appeals Form (posted 12/11/08)

View Iowa City's Notice of Interest Buyout Application

E-Subscribe to Flood Recovery  Updates (click here)

Documents

Buyout Information (posted 9/2/08) 

City Water Service/Quality Information: (319) 356-5166 (24-hours).
Questions about City Sewer Service: (319) 356-5170 (regular business hours M-F) OR (319) 356-5177 (nights/weekends)
City of Iowa City Building Inspection  (319) 356-5120
Flood Assessment Information
This is a link to view specific property information with regard to the flood event.  The information will be updated as inspections occur and additional assessments are made. (Source: City of Iowa City Housing & Building Inspection Dept.

MidAmerican Energy: (888) 427-5632 [answered 24/7]

Archived Updates

• Staff Recovery Activities Updates (02/27/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Update (02/24/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Update (02/13/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Update (2/6/09)
• Dilkes ltr to Buyout Owners (1/30/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Update (1/30/09)
• Staff  Recovery Activities Update (1/22/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Update (1/15/09)
• Staff Recovery Activities Memo (1/7/09)
• Flood Recovery & Buyout Update (as of 12/24/08
• Voluntary Flood Buyout Map (updated 1/9/2009)
• Flood Recovery & Buyout Update (as of 12/11/2008)
• Letter to Gov. Culver from Mayor Bailey Re: Request to Amend Current IDED Interpretation Concerning CDBG funding 11/21/2008
• Letter & questionnaire from D. Purdy Re: HMGP property acquisition 11/21/2008
• "Flood Update" memo from Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney. 11/13/2008
• Letter to Gov. Culver from Mayor Bailey Re: Request to Amend Current IDED Interpretation Concerning CDBG funding 11/21/2008
• Update to Jumpstart/CDBG applicants from N. Moradi 11/21/2008
• Letter & questionnaire from D. Purdy Re: HMGP property acquisition 11/21/2008
• "Flood Update" memo from Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney. 11/13/2008
• "Update - Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy" memo to Council from Planning & Public Works Directors 11/13/2008
• "HMGP Buyout Update" memo from David Purdy 11/13/208
• City Manager Memo to Council: Summary of 10-6-08 work session; HMGP Update (10/16/08)
• Jumpstart Checklist (9/29/2008)
• City Attorney's memo to City Council: Buyout/Purchase Price/Duplication of benefits (8/20/2008)
• Frequently Asked Questions (8/6/2008)
• Voluntary Flood Buyout Map (updated 11/19/2008)
• Newsletter "Update" Includes info on e-subscriptions; winterizing; demolition; flood insurance #'s. (9/3/2008)

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