ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are setting aside $2.5 million to purchase about 20 homes in St. John’s County.
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Action News Jax first told you when the homes in Summer Haven were hit during hurricane’s Ian and Nicole, causing major erosion.
Related Story: St. Johns County faces ‘impossible task’ in Summer Haven after Nicole breach
“I’ve seen a lot of erosion,” homeowner Melanie Barna said.
The Summer Haven Managed Retreat Program is going to allocate $2.5 million to buy out some of those beachfront homes.
County commissioner Henry Dean said he believes this program will be about 4 to 5 years, and every home would be purchased at a fair market value.
“If they want to stay and take on the expenses themselves, I say go for it, but if they want to be bought out than that’s a great thing too,” Barna said.
Barna has lived in her oceanfront home since 2018.
Related Story: St. Johns considers Summer Haven buyout after dune breach
“It’s just a matter of time till all of these homes, will… be affected by the storms and the rising sea,” Barna said.
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Commissioner Dean hopes both the county and the federal government will step up to join lawmakers in funding the voluntary buyout of these homes.
