Most of the depopulation expected along South County rivers, for now.
Original Air Date: April 11, 2025
Host: Sarasota County just launched a program that buys out repeatedly flooded homeowners. Its funding—at barely $6.5 million—is moderate, and it will probably be depleted after the first 20 or so buyouts. But in a county and a state that do not officially use the words “climate change,” this may come as a bit of a surprise to some. WSLR News intern Farah Vallecillo had a closer look at the county’s first Voluntary Home Buyout Program.
The Voluntary Home Buyout Program is part of Sarasota County’s Housing Recovery Program. Moderate- to low-income homeowners who were affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and who have gone through repeated flood damage can now sell their homes at market value to the county.
The main reason behind the buyout program is “mitigation,” according to the county website—in other words, relief for homeowners who cannot afford the expense of reconstruction and who are ready to relocate. But it’s also to prevent future expenses for everybody else—“helping to reduce future disaster risks while promoting resilience,” in the official wording…