Study: Black Homeowners Paid Less Than White Homeowners in FEMA Flood Buyout Program

New research has uncovered a racial disparity in a federal program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that buys out homes in flood-prone areas. According to the findings, Black homeowners are paid less than white homeowners for their properties under this program.

The report, covered by The New York Times, focuses on FEMA's buyout program, a mechanism through which the government purchases homes at risk of flooding in order to relocate residents away from hazardous areas.

Limited details available

At this time, the available information consists of the core finding itself — that a payment gap exists between Black and white participants in the federal buyout program. Further specifics, including the study's methodology, exact figures, or responses from FEMA or other officials, have not yet been made public in the reporting.

The question of racial disparities in federal disaster-assistance programs has repeatedly drawn scrutiny in the United States in recent years, particularly as climate-related flooding and other natural disasters increase the frequency with which such buyout programs are used.