Homeowners

Through Blue Acres, homeowners whose homes are storm-damaged or vulnerable to flooding have the option to sell. The program makes both families and communities more resilient to climate change.

Submit your Blue Acres Application.

All Blue Acres buyouts must be from willing sellers.

Once your application has been received, Blue Acres will work with state partners to develop a strategy to fund buyouts that may include the purchase of your home. Blue Acres uses state and federal funds to purchase and demolish these homes, as funding is made available, and funding decisions may impact progress timelines.

Contact your local government for status updates during the buyout planning process. Blue Acres and the local government will notify specific homeowners that a buyout project has been funded and will proceed in a designated neighborhood.

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Resources for Homeowners

(Click the gray tabs below to access different resources.)

Buyout Basics

The resources below are intended for the general public and for homeowners actively participating in the buyout program. The resources provide basic background information about Blue Acres buyout processes.

FEMA FMA Swift Current 2022 (Manville)

The below forms are intended ONLY for homeowners who have been notified by Blue Acres that they were approved for a potential buyout through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program’s Swift Current initiative.

If you have ANY questions about completing these forms, please contact your Case Manager. You will receive a confirmation that your forms were submitted successfully. If you have not been assigned a Case Manager, you may scan and email your completed forms with original signatures to BlueAcres@njdepwptest.net or return them via post mail to:

NJDEP Blue Acres
401 E. State St.
PO Box 420, Mail Code 401-07B
Trenton, NJ 08625

Please Note: If you are approved for a buyout under a FEMA FMA grant, your property must maintain its policy with the NFIP throughout the buyout process. If you have private flood insurance, you can ask your provider’s representative if your policy is underwritten by the NFIP. FEMA offers Group Flood Insurance Policies to individuals who do not have flood insurance and have received assistance from FEMA after a presidentially declared disaster strikes.

  • FORM: FEMA Citizenship Declaration and Release — This form requests citizenship status and basic homeowner information. Only one form is required per property. The following three fields can be left blank: Inspector ID #, FEMA Application #, and Disaster #.
  • FORM: FEMA Notice of Voluntary Interest — This form requests basic homeowner information and requires signatures and dates from everyone with an ownership interest in the property.
  • FORM: Right-of-Entry and Release of Information — This form authorizes DEP and its partners the right to access your buyout property to perform critical buyout steps such as appraisal, survey, environmental hazard inspections, etc.
  • FORM: FEMA Release of Information Authorization — This form authorizes FEMA to release information about disaster assistance received by the property owner.
  • FORM: Hazard Questionnaire — This form requests basic information regarding the property’s utilities, past and present structures, and past and present land uses. If the homeowner is unsure about certain questions, they can leave the answer blank.
  • FORM: No Tenants Verification Affidavit — This form allows homeowners to verify that no tenants reside at the buyout property. If homeowners have tenants, they should not complete this form. Note: The presence or absence of tenants will not affect your eligibility for a Blue Acres buyout.
  • FORM: Language Services Request — Blue Acres will try to provide free language services for limited or non-English speakers who would like these services. Depending on the language requested, we can try to provide oral interpretation and/or written translation.
  • FORM: Media Waiver and Release – This form is voluntary and allows homeowners to be potentially contacted by NJDEP and asked to share their experience navigating the Blue Acres buyout program.
  • Have questions about submitting these forms? Homeowners can call 609-940-4140 and leave a short message, and someone will get back to you to guide you through the process.

FEMA HMGP 4488

The below forms are intended ONLY for homeowners who have been notified by Blue Acres that they were approved for a potential buyout through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under DR-4488-NJ. DEP applied for these funds 11/30/2022.

If you have ANY questions about completing these forms, please contact your Case Manager. You will receive a confirmation that your forms were submitted successfully. If you have not been assigned a Case Manager, you may scan and email your completed forms with original signatures to BlueAcres@njdepwptest.net or return them via post mail to:

NJDEP Blue Acres
401 E. State St.
PO Box 420, Mail Code 401-07B
Trenton, NJ 08625

  • FORM: FEMA Citizenship Declaration and Release — This form requests citizenship status and basic homeowner information. Only one form is required per property. The following three fields can be left blank: Inspector ID #, FEMA Application #, and Disaster #.
  • FORM: FEMA Notice of Voluntary Interest — This form requests basic homeowner information and requires signatures and dates from everyone with an ownership interest in the property.
  • FORM: Right-of-Entry and Release of Information — This form authorizes DEP and its partners the right to access your buyout property to perform critical buyout steps such as appraisal, survey, environmental hazard inspections, etc.
  • FORM: FEMA Release of Information Authorization — This form authorizes FEMA to release information about disaster assistance received by the property owner.
  • FORM: Hazard Questionnaire — This form requests basic information regarding the property’s utilities, past and present structures, and past and present land uses. If the homeowner is unsure about certain questions, they can leave the answer blank.
  • FORM: No Tenants Verification Affidavit — This form allows homeowners to verify that no tenants reside at the buyout property. If homeowners have tenants, they should not complete this form. Note: The presence or absence of tenants will not affect your eligibility for a Blue Acres buyout.
  • FORM: Language Services Request  — Blue Acres will try to provide free language services for limited or non-English speakers who would like these services. Depending on the language requested, we can try to provide oral interpretation and/or written translation.
  • FORM: Media Waiver and Release – This form is voluntary and allows homeowners to be potentially contacted by NJDEP and asked to share their experience navigating the Blue Acres buyout program.
  • Have questions about submitting these forms? Homeowners can call 609-940-4140 and leave a short message, and someone will get back to you to guide you through the process.

HUD CDBG-DR 4614

Authorized homeowners are invited via email to complete the HUD Buyout Eligibility Application online. Blue Acres staff is available to directly assist homeowners with application questions and concerns. Anyone needing help can reach out via email to blueacres@njdepwptest.net or call (609) 940-4140. 


Learn more about the Blue Acres CDBG-DR program and learn how Blue Acres prepared for the launch of the HUD Buyout Eligibility Application.

 

FORM: Permission to Access Applicant Info – This form allows homeowners to grant permission for specific information related to their application for a HUD-funded buyout to be shared with designated individuals or agencies, while also providing the option to revoke previously granted permission.

FORM: Income Certification – This forms allows homeowners to certify their household size and household income which are used to determine eligibility for HUD-funded buyouts and incentives. Only complete and return this form if you have been advised to do so by Blue Acres staff.

NRCS EWPP

The below forms are intended ONLY for homeowners who have been notified by Blue Acres that they were approved for a potential buyout through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) grant.

If you have ANY questions about completing these forms, please contact your Case Manager. You will receive a confirmation that your forms were submitted successfully. If you have not been assigned a Case Manager, you may scan and email your completed forms with original signatures to BlueAcres@njdepwptest.net or return them via post mail to:

NJDEP Blue Acres
401 E. State St.
PO Box 420, Mail Code 401-07B
Trenton, NJ 08625

 

  • FORM: NRCS Citizenship Declaration and Release — This form requests citizenship status and basic homeowner information. Only one form is required per property.
  • FORM: NRCS Notice of Voluntary Interest — This form requests basic homeowner information and requires signatures and dates from everyone with an ownership interest in the property.
  • FORM: Right-of-Entry and Release of Information — This form authorizes DEP and its partners the right to access your buyout property to perform critical buyout steps such as appraisal, survey, environmental hazard inspections, etc.
  • FORM: Hazard Questionnaire — This form requests basic information regarding the property’s utilities, past and present structures, and past and present land uses. If the homeowner is unsure about certain questions, they can leave the answer blank.
  • FORM: No Tenants Verification Affidavit — This form allows homeowners to verify that no tenants reside at the buyout property. If homeowners have tenants, they should not complete this form. Note: The presence or absence of tenants will not affect your eligibility for a Blue Acres buyout.
  • FORM: Language Services Request  — Blue Acres will try to provide free language services for limited or non-English speakers who would like these services. Depending on the language requested, we can try to provide oral interpretation and/or written translation.
  • FORM: Media Waiver and Release – This form is voluntary and allows homeowners to be potentially contacted by NJDEP and asked to share their experience navigating the Blue Acres buyout program.
  • Have questions about submitting these forms? Homeowners can call 609-940-4140 and leave a short message, and someone will get back to you to guide you through the process.