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Monroe County reports near-complete closeout of $15 million voluntary home buyout program
Summary
County staff told commissioners the federally funded buyout program will finish under budget after 21 property acquisitions and demolition of distressed structures, resolving open permits and code cases in flood-prone neighborhoods.
Cynthia, a county staff member overseeing the voluntary home buyout program, told the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on April 16 that the five‑year program awarded in 2020 was coming to a close and will finish slightly under budget.
The program received a $15,000,000 Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery award and "we spent $14,600,000 out of the $15,000,000 grant," Cynthia said during a brief presentation to the board. She said county staff evaluated 87 applicants, found 21 eligible and closed 21 purchases. The county demolished remaining structures on acquired lots and applied permanent deed restrictions restricting future use to open space, stormwater improvements or conservation.
The buyouts focused on low‑to‑moderate income eligible applicants in distressed neighborhoods, Cynthia said. She told commissioners the program also resolved lingering issues created by some of those properties: "We closed 11 open permits and we also resolved 10 code cases." County staff worked with private contractors and four local vendors for appraisals, demolitions, closings and surveys, and used larger technical consultants, including Tetra Tech, for portions of the work.
Cynthia recognized Florida Commerce (formerly Florida DEO) grant managers who visited sites and helped the county navigate program rules, and thanked many county departments and contractors for implementation assistance.
Commissioners had no follow‑up questions. The presentation was administrative; no board action was requested at the April 16 meeting.
Ending: County staff said a small amount of administrative closing costs remains and that staff expect to wrap up final expenses before formally closing the grant.
