Flood Buyout and Home Elevation Program

What is the King County Flood Buyout and Home Elevation Program?

The King County Flood Buyout and Home Elevation Program involves two approaches to reducing public health and safety risks to residents living in flood hazard areas of unincorporated King County.

Home buyouts involve the voluntary sale to King County of flood-prone properties and structures. Home buyouts are appropriate in areas of deep, fast-moving water, such as those located in the floodway, or those areas threatened by serious bank erosion. Home buyouts provide a permanent solution to the risks and damages of repetitive flooding and significantly reduce the public costs of the County, state and federal agencies associated with evacuations, providing emergency shelters, and temporary housing. Home buyouts provide the added benefits of improved flood storage and conveyance, and the creation of permanent open space.

Home elevation involves assisting property owners with the costs of raising the finished floor of a home above the 100-year elevation, substantially reducing the threat of future damage. Home elevation projects are more appropriate in areas that experience slower moving floodwaters. Both programs only involve homes where the owner has previously agreed to participate in the program. No condemnation procedures are used to implement this program.

How does the County purchase flood-prone homes or assist in the elevation of flood-prone homes?

Home buyouts involve the voluntary sale of a flood-prone structure located in the floodplain or floodway. First an independent appraisal is performed at county expense to establish the basis for the property's fair market value. Once the property owner and the County agree to the purchase price, closing takes place. King County pays for all closing costs, with the exception of the Real Estate Excise Tax. Once the home is purchased, and the homeowner moves out, King County removes the structure and the site is replanted with native vegetation. The property is then designated as permanent open space.

Home elevation involves assisting the property owner with the costs of raising the finished floor of a home above the 100-year elevation, substantially reducing the threat of future flood damage. This allows the residents to remain on the property, and preserves the County's existing housing stock.

Here are the basic steps in elevating a building:

1. Have professionals disconnect utilities.
2. Hire a professional house mover to disconnect the house from existing foundation, jack it up to new height, and provide a temporary foundation.
3. Have the utilities temporarily reconnected so the house is livable while foundation work is done.
4. Build a temporary access stair to meet the new height.
5. Build a new, permanent foundation.
6. Have the house mover lower the house onto the new foundation and connect the anchor bolts.
7. Have the utilities permanently reconnected.
8. Build a new, permanent access stair and landing.

How much do these projects cost and where does the money come from?

Purchase of riverfront homes at fair market value is extremely expensive, given today's real estate market. Therefore, buyouts are being targeted for neighborhoods where there is significant risk due to fast-moving floodwaters, and where there is the added public benefit of open space and wildlife or fisheries habitat.

Home elevations typically cost about $90,000 per home, depending upon the home's foundation. King County has limited funds available for these programs, and relies on federal and state grant opportunities to fund the program. Since 1991, King County has obtained $5.4 million in federal and state grant funds for the buyout and elevation program. A small amount (about $225,000) is available annually across the State of Washington from the Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) on a competitive basis. Additional funds (typically up to $1.5 million) become available after a presidential disaster declaration, such as those that occurred as a result of the November 2006 and December 2007 floods. King County continues to seek other funding opportunities to support this program.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

In general, any residential structure located in a flood-prone area of unincorporated King County may be eligible for these programs. Because the County relies on federal and state funds which are subject to a competitive process, however, homes covered by flood insurance with a history of repetitive flooding will be more likely to receive funds. (All properties in unincorporated King County are eligible for flood insurance, whether or not you are located in a mapped floodplain. Homeowners and renters insurance is available. Call your insurance agent for more information or visit the National Flood Insurance Program's website, or call their toll free number 1-888-call flood ext. 445).

In the past, there have been more property owners interested in selling or elevating than funds available. The County maintains a list of property owners interested in participating in the program, so that potential neighborhood projects are already identified when a funding opportunity becomes available.

Who can provide more information?

To obtain more information about King County flood buyout and elevation programs, or to submit your name for consideration under the program, please contact Priscilla Kaufmann, Program/Project Manager, at 206-296-0598.

What other programs are available to residents?

Listed below are programs to help you elevate your home. Note that most of these programs only become available after a major flood event.

Increased Cost of compliance

Ask your insurance agent about "Increased Cost of Compliance" insurance coverage. This coverage allows payment of up to an additional $30,000 to cover compliance with local ordinances affecting repair or reconstruction involving elevation, floodproofing, relocation or demolition of a structure, after a direct loss caused by a flood.

SBA loans

After a presidentially declared disaster, small business association (SBA) loans become available to qualified property owners. If you are approved for an SBA loan, you may be eligible for up to an additional 20% of your loan amount for use in hazard mitigation projects, such as home elevations. For more information, visit: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the U.S. Small Businesss Administration (SBA).

King County Housing Repair Programs

The King County Housing and Community Development Program has a deferred payment loan program to fund repairs, including home elevations. The program provides 0% interest loans of up to $25,000 to qualifying homeowners. The loans are repaid at the time the home is sold or title transferred. Eligibility is determined by gross annual income of all household members. There is also a rental rehabilitation loan program, which provides a maximum loan of up to $30,000 per unit. For more information, call 296-296-7640.

For questions about the King County Flood Buyout and Home Elevation Program, please contact Priscilla Kaufmann, River and Floodplain Management Unit.