CLAY COUNTY – The county and Orange Park are set to receive money from the state’s new budget after Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $44 million to Irma-impacted communities for voluntary home buyouts.

Gov. DeSantis announced Tuesday more than $44 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding was awarded to 11 Florida communities impacted by 2017’s Hurricane Irma. This money comes through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program which sees local governments paying residents to forfeit their homes prone to damage.

“The recovery of Florida communities has been a priority since my first day in office,” Gov. DeSantis said. “This funding will help homeowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma recover while ensuring the communities they live in are more resilient to future disasters.”

The program, which ran its course a few months ago, asked homeowners in areas prone to extensive hurricane damage to allow their home to be purchased to reduce hurricane damage by restoring the properties to lands of perpetual conservation.

The volunteer period occurred has expired, so it’s likely too late for anyone now to take part in the program.

Unincorporated Clay County will receive $5 million and Orange Park will get approximately $3.1 million. The funds will be used to allow these two governments to buy out the homes volunteered earlier this year.

All home purchased will be purchased at a pre-Irma listing price so damage as a result of Irma will not be factored in to the purchase price.

Orange Park Town Manager Sarah Campbell said more than 20 applications from town residents were received and that ultimately, the town was able to submit 18 applications in on behalf of property owners.

“These owners experienced damage or flooding as a result of Irma and lie in the FEMA flood zone,” Campbell said. “In addition, more than 50% of the owners are low to moderate income households.”

The 18 properties are in four areas of the town: Ash Street, Dogwood Lane, Dolphin Court and Winfred Drive.

Campbell said representatives of FDEO conducted a site visit to Orange Park in October and anticipates sending Orange Park a formal agreement in late March of next year which is when Campbell expects the funding to arrive.