Voluntary flood buyout offered

Residents who were impacted by the devastating 2017 flooding in Doniphan, Van Buren and Carter County will have opportunities to apply for additional help beginning March 16 and continuing through May 15, according to an updated press release from the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission.

Grant money was set aside by government officials following the flood to assist residents in the Ozark Foothills region with needs related to safe and affordable housing, which have not been meet, said Crystal Jones, executive director of the OFRPC. The funds were allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant program.

The majority of the disaster funding was to be allocated to certain zip codes in southern Missouri, including the 63935 and 63965. Applications were submitted to the program by Carter County, and the cities of Van Buren and Doniphan, requesting the funding needed to assist impacted residents.

A voluntary residential buyout is among the programs available to qualifying residents in the city limits of Doniphan and Van Buren and within Carter County, outside the city limits of Van Buren.

Participating properties for a voluntary residential buyout program must be eligible properties located in the designated buyout zone. Property owners participating in the program will receive pre-flood fair market value as identified in a duly-procured appraisal, minus any duplication of benefits amounts will be determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Relocation assistance will be available to residents equal to or less than 120% of area median income and when combined with buyout participation. Resident must relocate within the same community, the OFRPC press release stated.

Homeowners may be eligible for the difference in the cost of the displacement dwelling and a comparable replacement dwelling, plus the difference in average utilities cost for 42 months.

Tenant relocation assistance will be available for current tenants of buyout properties displaced by the buyout process who will be provided relocation and moving assistance for a comparable replacement dwelling, the press release. Tenants may be eligible for the difference in the cost of the displacement dwelling and a comparable replacement dwelling, plus the difference in average utilities cost for 42 months.

Down payment assistance also will be available, Jones said. Income-eligible households can request down payment assistance for the purchase of a home located outside the 100-year floodplain. Households earning up to 120 percent area median income could qualify. Up to 100 percent of the down payment, not to exceed 25 percent of the total cost of the home plus closing costs, is available. The purchase price of the home and monthly mortgage payment must be affordable. Cannot be duplicated with households qualifying for relocation assistance following a buyout.

Anyone interested in learning more about the programs may make appointments at the intake centers established in the Doniphan and Van Buren communities to assist residents with determining eligibility for these disaster recovery programs.

The center dates are March 16 – May 15 and the addresses are:

City of Doniphan – Ripley County Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Square, Doniphan, Mo. 63935

City of Van Buren – 1009 Main Street, Van Buren, Mo. 63965

The schedule are:

Doniphan – Monday and Wednesday of each week beginning March 16 through May 15, (excluding state or federal holidays).

Van Buren – Tuesday and Thursday of each week beginning March 16 through May 15, (excluding state or federal holidays).

Residents must make an appointment to meet with staff at one of the intake centers to determine eligibility.

Appointments can be made by contacting the OFRPC during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 573-785-6402 or via email at ofrpc@ofrpc.org. Reasonable and alternative accommodations to meet with staff will be made for residents with a disability that limits transportation to an intake center.

For more information, contact the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission at 573-785-6402.