ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — Homes that were impacted by the 2019 flood in northern parts of St. Charles County may be eligible for federal buyout funds as property owners can begin submitting applications.

St. Charles County received a $15.8 million federal grant, which is enough to buy up to 100 homes out of the more than 900 that were flooded in St. Charles County, Portage Des Sioux, West Alton and limited parts of St. Charles City, according to a press release.

The program is voluntary, which involves the County offering to purchase eligible homes at pre-flood values. The homes, once acquired by the County, will be demolished and maintain the land as permanent open space.

At least 70% of the federal funds must assist low-to-moderate income homeowners, according to Robert Myers, director of Planning and Zoning for St. Charles County. 

Other qualifications and program priorities also apply. 

St. Charles County has been working with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to launch the buyout process.

Letters have been sent to 947 residential property owners who may be eligible, asking if they want to sell their property. Owners can complete the application online, over the phone or submit by mail.

If a resident received a letter in the mail, Myers said to not disregard it as junk mail.

“If you are interested in selling your home and moving out of the flood zone, complete the form included with the letter,” he said.

“There is a federal process the County must follow, and not everyone who is interested in selling can be bought out because there is limited funding available. The completed form is the first step.”

• Primary residence, residential owner-occupied home at the time of the flood event and is the current property owner.
• This also includes owner-occupants when they are:
  -    Heirs and assigns of a deceased owner-occupant in 2019 and are eligible owners.
  -    Deployed military personnel that are owners.
• Primary residence, residential owner-occupied with up to three residential tenant units within the same structure as the owner-occupant.

• Properties that were second homes at the time of the event.
• Properties that have been sold since the 2019 flood and now have a different owner.

• For more information on the overall program, click here.
• For information on how applications will be prioritized and program timeline, click here.
• To see a map showing the boundaries of approved Voluntary Buyout Zones, click here.
• For other program documents, click here.