Beyond Federally-Funded Buyouts – Local Policies, Tools and Funding Streams

While federal resources are critical for providing relocation support to thousands of people living in the U.S., national policies and programs are falling short in addressing the urgency, scale, and complexity of climate-driven displacement. When it comes to buyouts and property acquisitions, accessing federal funds poses significant challenges. Restrictive requirements and lengthy bureaucratic processes can hinder local governments from developing compassionate and locally-responsive programs that prioritize community needs. To overcome these hurdles, local governments can leverage local funding sources to reduce their reliance on federal disaster dollars. By diversifying funding sources, local governments can not only expand relocation assistance beyond individual home buyouts, but also align their programs with local values and broader resilience goals.

Join us for an engaging conversation as we explore innovative approaches and tools for local governments and communities to overcome equity and implementation challenges associated with federal disaster resources. In this webinar, moderated by Urban Ocean Lab (UOL), our panel of experts, including representatives from local governments and nonprofits, will share valuable insights from their experiences on leveraging local funding sources for more just and holistic approaches to climate-driven relocation.

This virtual panel is presented by Urban Ocean Lab, in partnership with Columbia University's Climate School as part of the 2023 conference At What Point Managed Retreat?: Habitability and Mobility in an Era of Climate Change

Moderator: Erica Asinas, Policy Advisor at Urban Ocean Lab

Panelist Bios:

• Brendan Shane, Climate Director at Trust for Public Land
• Louise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer at the New York City Comptroller Office
• Johanna Lovecchio, Associate Director of the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes at Columbia University
• Tim Trautman, Flood Mitigation Program Manager at Charlotte-Mecklenburg County

About Urban Ocean Lab

Urban Ocean Lab is a think tank that cultivates rigorous, creative, equitable, and practical climate and ocean policy for the future of coastal cities.