Officials consider home buyback program in wake of 'existential threat' to coastal communities

Rising flood risks are forcing some coastal communities to confront a difficult question: What happens when protecting homes is no longer enough?

In Hull, Massachusetts, officials are considering a home buyback program that would help residents move out of high-risk areas as flooding and erosion worsen, according to NBC Boston.

What's happening?

After a powerful nor'easter in January 2024 flooded entire neighborhoods, many residents in Hull found themselves trapped as water surged from multiple directions.

"We had the waves coming over," said resident Andrea Van Lierop, per NBC Boston. "We were all kind of stuck."

Local leaders now warn the town faces an "existential threat." About 66% of Hull lies within a floodplain, leaving it especially vulnerable to rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms.

In response, state officials, led by Governor Maura Healey, are studying whether a voluntary home buyback program could help reduce long-term risk.

While buyouts have traditionally been handled on a case-by-case basis, this proposal would take a broader, more proactive approach.

Why is this important?

For many coastal communities, flooding is becoming an unavoidable reality, highlighting the urgent need for long-term solutions.

As sea levels rise and storms intensify, homes, infrastructure, and local economies face growing threats. Extreme weather events like nor'easters create dangerous conditions, putting both health and financial stability at risk.

The emotional toll is just as significant. For many residents, leaving means giving up more than just property.

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"I would never move because of the water, no," Van Lierop said. "It is a beautiful place to live … community is everything."

This growing challenge is driven in part by human activity. The burning of oil, coal, and gas contributes to rising global temperatures, which cause oceans to expand and ice to melt, ultimately raising sea levels and increasing flood risk.

What's being done about it?

Officials say any potential buyback program would be voluntary, giving homeowners the option — not the obligation — to relocate.

The goal is to start conversations early, before repeated disasters force sudden, high-stakes decisions.

"It's still going to be an uphill battle," said Kristin Uiterwyk, director of the Urban Harbors Institute, per NBC Boston. "It's definitely a challenge, but we're making progress."

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