News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Livingston’s hazard mitigation grant application to buy at-risk homes in a flood plain is in FEMA’s hands.
Administrative Assistant Rebecca Clayton said that five to six homeowners have said they want to be in this program. Clayton said the city has applied for roughly $830,000 to buy affected homes.
“This is an estimate of what FEMA thinks that the properties are worth,” Clayton said. “Which is 20 percent more than their tax record. So that’s where they came up with that. The city would have to pay this amount and then ask for reimbursement.”
Clayton said that letters went out to all affected property owners about the program, but specifically mentioned Cash Street. Clayton said that once the houses are purchased, the local share of the costs would be roughly $103,000.
However, if appraisal values exceed the $830,000 then Livingston would have to reapply and start the process over.
“First, the city does the appraisal,” Clayton said. “If they’re not happy with the city’s appraisal then they are eligible to get their own but the city doesn’t have to accept it.”
The funding would allow the city of Livingston to purchase property from citizens with a high risk for flooding. Once properties are purchased in the flood plain, they have to be demolished.
