Buyout Program

Buyout

The Project Recovery Buyout Program assists owners whose property was damaged by the 2017 floods to relocate to areas of reduced flood risk. The program is a key part of Harris County’s plan to increase the county’s overall resilience to future flooding by buying out properties in pre-identified areas that have previously flooded.

For specific information about how the buyout areas were selected, please see the Buyout Area Determination Guide.

For Frequently Asked Questions about inspection safety during the pandemic, click here.

After buyout, these areas will be dedicated and maintained in perpetuity for a use compatible with open space, recreational or floodplain/wetlands management practices and owned by Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD).

Note: The Flood Control District also has a buyout program, but it is not the same as the Project Recovery program, and not everyone who qualifies for the HCFCD program will be eligible for the Project Recovery program.

There are two components to the Project Recovery Buyout Program. Each program provides incentives and benefits to property owners for moving out of harm’s way. To learn more, point your mouse over each program below.

Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program

Post Disaster Relocation and Buyout Program
Purchases commercial, residential and vacant property in target areas that have experienced repeated flooding. To learn more, click here.

Voluntary Residential Buyout Program

Offers homeowners in target areas the opportunity to sell their property. To learn more, click here.

Customer Videos

The Canton’s Story – Buyout Program

The Canton’s Story – Spanish Subtitles

The Benavidez Story – Buyout Program

The Benavidez Story – Spanish Subtitles

The Cabrera’s Story – Buyout Program

The Uresti's Story - Buyout Program

The Uresti's Story - Buyout Program (Spanish Subtitles)

The Pineda's Story - Buyout Program

The Pineda's Story - Buyout Program (Spanish Subtitles)

Customer Testimonials

I will forever be grateful for my new home

Although nothing could replace all I lost, there is nothing that can replace what I have gained from this great program and the wonderful, caring people that manage it and finally helped me get my life back again. Please know that I will forever be grateful for my new home, but my gratitude goes far beyond that tangible award that I gained from CSD and will last much, much longer. Read my story.

From 9 feet of floodwater to a 9-acre ranch

My Channelview home had been through a bunch of floods. I had enough of losing valuables and dealing with the stress that comes with living near the coast. I wanted to move. It didn’t happen overnight, it took some patience for everything to come together, but it was worth it in the end. After working with the Project Recovery Buyout Program, I now call home a 9-acre ranch in Atlanta, TX. I love it out here. I plan to retire here and now there’s nothing to worry about. See my Before/After photos.

“I’m 100% better with this new home”

I lived in East Houston and floods were getting worse there. It was always scary during storms. I moved to a beautiful home in Dayton, TX after working with the Project Recovery Buyout Program. Now it’s peaceful, and I don’t have to deal with flooding. It was definitely worth it. See my Before/After photos.