In parts of Queens that flood repeatedly, New York City is investigating whether homeowners would voluntarily give up their properties.
The move shows how chronic inland flooding in neighborhoods built over old ponds, swamps, and creeks is shaping the city's climate strategy, according to The City Reporter.
Here's what to know
Residents in Hollis and near Kissena Park in Flushing are being contacted through the city's Resilient Acquisitions program, which explores voluntary home purchases in repeatedly flooded areas.
No funding has been secured for acquisitions in either neighborhood.
The Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice is gathering expressions of interest as it assesses whether buyouts could work in parts of Queens with limited flood-mitigation alternatives, the outlet reported.
Storms in May and July 2026 pushed water into homes on low-lying blocks in both areas. In Hollis, flood sensor data cited by the outlet showed water reaching 46 inches at one intersection on May 20.
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The consequences have been deadly.
Flooding in basement apartments during Hurricane Ida in September 2021 killed residents in both Hollis and Flushing.
"We are listening to homeowners and community members about their interest in voluntary buyouts and evaluating potential pathways forward," said Pia Fouilloux, a spokesperson for the climate office.
More background
These purchases fall under the broader idea of managed retreat, in which governments acquire homes in especially at-risk places and later convert the land to uses such as parks, natural areas, or stormwater storage.
New York used buyouts in the wake of coastal disasters, including in Queens and Staten Island after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
This push stands out because it centers on inland communities coping with severe stormwater flooding rather than coastal storm surge.
Places built atop former waterways often remain vulnerable, and The City Reporter noted that Hollis was developed over a former pond while the Kissena Park area sits where a swamp and creek once were.
Buyouts also come with significant tradeoffs.
They can reduce danger and future repair expenses, but they are costly, can take years, and remove housing during an affordability crisis.
Councilmember Sandra Ung, who has pushed for conversations about buyouts, told the outlet she saw few other options to address the growing crisis.
"I don't think the current situation is going to get better," Ung conceded.
What's being done?
Officials are gauging interest rather than moving ahead with a formal acquisition plan.
The City Reporter reported that the office is also weighing possible acquisitions in the Jewel Streets area along the Queens-Brooklyn border, a neighborhood known as the Hole.
Local residents and advocates are helping inform neighbors about the effort.
Leona Chin, a Flushing resident who founded the park stewardship group Kissena Synergy, said residents were skeptical.
"Initially, people were suspicious. People said, 'That's not for real, that's not really going to happen,'" Chin recalled.
Some residents are considering the option.
Sam Wu, a longtime Kissena Park resident, filed the interest form but is still unsure whether waiting would ultimately pay off. His family moves cars out of the way before it rains and seals off the home's lower floor to limit water damage.
Other flood-control projects remain under consideration.
In Kissena, officials are considering a cloudburst hub and a bluebelt system to store and direct stormwater — steps that could help, but would not remove the fear residents feel whenever heavy rain is forecast.
"I want to get these buyouts done so we can take care of this as a long-term solution," Amit Shivprasad, a Hollis community board member, told The City Reporter.
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