Last modified on September 9th, 2024 at 1:50 pm

May 16, 2024

An article published by the Illinois Answers Project highlights New Jersey’s Blue Acres program as a national model for managing flood-prone areas. Following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Blue Acres has become a benchmark for effective flood mitigation, attracting attention from states grappling with similar challenges. Here’s why New Jersey’s approach is considered exemplary and what sets it apart.

Blue Acres, which has acquired about 1,100 homes since 1995, is seen as a national model for flood buyouts. Its success is attributed to consistent funding from federal and state sources, enabling continuous property buyouts and comprehensive homeowner support. Unlike other states, such as Illinois, where buyout programs face funding and logistical challenges, New Jersey’s approach is proactive and adaptive.

The program’s innovative measures, including in-house case managers that guide homeowners through the buyout process and the recent Smart Move Program being piloted by NJ Department of Community Affairs aimed at creating more affordable housing for buyout participants and first time home buyers, underscore its effectiveness. Experts nationwide look to Blue Acres for best practices in climate resilience and community support. This recognition underscores the importance of Blue Acres’ strategies and their potential application in other regions facing similar challenges.

Read the full article here!