Gov. Chet Culver announced Nov. 6 that $150 million in federal funds will be made available for the purchase of 1,352 homes damaged in last year’s floods.

This is the first round of awards made to 20 cities and counties to cover residences not eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency buyouts. Funding is allocated from the $516.7 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds, according to a news release.

Iowa City will receive $11.6 million for 52 properties, while Coralville will get $320, 958 for three locations.

The initial round of funding covers homes that are in the 100-year flood plain, or pose a health and safety concern to the community, or have been ascertained as having been substantially damaged.

The remaining properties will need to submit additional justification for buyout if they are in the 500-year flood plain and don’t pose health and safety concerns or have major damages.

— by Shane Ersland