On Monday, February 25, 2013, Governor Cuomo in his State of the State address at CSI, announced the NYS buyout program. He said “I want to be there for people and communities who want to say, ‘I’m going to give this parcel back to Mother Nature.’” The Foxbeach section of Oakwood Beach is such a community. As such, the Governor has chosen us to initiate his program, and serve as the prototype for rolling out the program to other NYS communities. The number of homes in this “enhanced area”, as described in his plan, is actually 185. 183 homeowners have stepped forward, asking to participate. On March 12, 2013, Governor Cuomo submitted his plan to HUD for approval.
HUD approved the Governor’s Plan on April 25, 2013. Our Foxbeach community will be the first to bought out under this Plan. In August 2013 the Governor’s Office announced phase II of the Oakwood Beach Buyout, adding an additional 100 homes.
In record setting fashion, the Governor will have bought out approximately 25 of the residences before the 1 year anniversary of the storm. It is possible that all homeowners in Phase I (Fox Beach) will complete the Buyout by year end 2013!