City officials have begun contacting homeowners in flood‑prone neighborhoods of Queens, including the Hollis area, to assess interest in selling their properties under the Resilient Acquisitions climate‑adaptation buyout program. The outreach, launched in the summer of 2026, is part of a broader municipal effort to reduce flood risk in parts of the borough where existing flood‑mitigation infrastructure is limited.
The Resilient Acquisitions initiative offers voluntary buyouts to property owners whose homes are situated in zones vulnerable to flooding. By acquiring these properties, the city aims to create space for future flood‑resilient development and to lessen the exposure of residents to repeated flood events. Participation is optional, and homeowners are being asked to indicate whether they would consider selling their homes under the program’s terms.
Queens, with its mix of older housing stock and areas of low‑lying terrain, has been identified as a priority for the city’s climate‑adaptation strategy. The lack of extensive flood‑control measures in certain neighborhoods makes them especially susceptible to rising water levels and storm surge. The new outreach seeks to complement other mitigation projects by removing structures from the most at‑risk locations, thereby reducing the potential for damage and displacement in future flood scenarios.
The city’s approach aligns with a citywide plan that emphasizes voluntary participation and fair compensation for eligible properties. While details of the compensation framework have not been disclosed, the program is positioned as a tool to help residents transition away from high‑risk zones and to support the long‑term resilience of the community. Officials indicated that the outreach will continue throughout the summer, with additional information to be provided to interested homeowners.
By extending the buyout outreach to additional Queens neighborhoods, the administration hopes to advance its climate‑adaptation goals and to protect vulnerable communities from the increasing threats posed by climate‑related flooding.