14-66.007. Relocation Assistance Program

Pursuant to Sections 339.09(2) and (3) and 421.55, F.S., the Department may expend transportation tax revenues on federal and non-federal-aid projects which shall include relocation assistance and moving costs to persons displaced by transportation facilities or other related projects.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to govern the provision of relocation services, moving costs, replacement housing costs, and other related expenses and to ensure that each person displaced as a direct result of a transportation project is treated fairly, consistently, and equitably, so that such person will not suffer disproportionate injury as a result of projects designed for the benefit of the public as a whole, and to ensure that the Department implements these regulations in a manner that is efficient and cost effective. This rule shall apply to all persons displaced by any applicable transportation project on which negotiations for right-of-way acquisition begin after the effective date of this rule. The provisions of 49 C.F.R. Part 24, Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition for Federal and Federally-Assisted Programs effective October 1, 2014, are incorporated into this rule by reference https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05481 and available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/real-estate/uniform_act. The Department shall require, as a condition of financial participation, that the requirements of this rule be met by the administering Agency on transportation projects or project phases:

(a) That are federalized;

(b) For which there is any anticipation or intent to federalize. Anticipation includes discussion by local or state officials regarding the intended or potential use of federal funds in any phase of the project;

(c) That are on the State Highway System; or

(d) That are intended to be on the State Highway System.

(2) This rule does not apply to projects on or intended to be on the State Highway System, funded by Department long term loan programs to governmental entities which have independent statutory authority to provide transportation projects on the State Highway System.

(3) Definitions. The following definitions, as well as those stated in 49 C.F.R. Part 24, shall apply as used in the context of this rule:

(a) “Agency” shall mean any state, county, district, authority or municipality, department (including the Florida Department of Transportation), division, board, bureau, office, commission, or other separate unit of government created or established by law and any other public or private entity, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any Agency.

(b) “Carve Out” shall mean the method used in making a typical homesite determination, whereby, that portion of the parent tract which is typical for residential use in the area is separated from the parent tract for the purpose of the replacement housing payment computation.

(c) “Department” shall mean the Florida Department of Transportation.

(d) “Displacement Dwelling” or “Acquired Dwelling” shall mean the dwelling from which a displaced person is required to move due to a transportation project.

(e) “Domicile” shall mean the place where a person has his or her true, fixed, permanent home and principal establishment and to which he or she has, when absent, the intention of returning.

(f) “Personal Property” shall mean, moveable items not permanently affixed to and a part of the real estate, which typically can be removed without serious injury either to the real estate or to the items themselves.

(4) Advisory Services. The Agency will provide relocation advisory services in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(5) Written Notices. The following written notices will be furnished to each displaced person to provide information regarding the benefits and services available:

(a) A General Information notice shall be furnished to each displaced person as required in 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(b) A 90-Day Notice will be furnished to each displaced person in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(c) A Notice of Eligibility shall be furnished to all displaced persons. The Notice of Eligibility shall:

1. Be delivered at the time of initiation of negotiations for owners, and no later than 14 days from the date of initiation of negotiations for tenants; and,

2. Provide an explanation of all services and payments to which the occupant is entitled and identify the address of the nearest relocation assistance office where additional information concerning relocation assistance may be obtained.

(d) A Statement of Eligibility shall be furnished to each residential displaced person and shall include:

1. The amount of the maximum payment for which the displaced person is eligible;

2. An identification of the comparable replacement dwelling upon which such amount is based. The comparable replacement dwelling upon which the payment eligibility is based must be available to the displaced person at the time the Statement of Eligibility is delivered; and,

3. A statement of the occupancy requirement necessary for obtaining the full amount of the payment.

(6) Relocation Planning. If a transportation project necessitates the relocation of any person, prior to proceeding with right-of-way negotiations, the Agency shall determine the following:

(a) Comparable replacement dwellings shall be available or provided for each displaced person and such determination shall be accompanied by an analysis of all relocation issues involved and a specific plan to resolve such issues; and,

(b) The relocation program provides orderly, timely, and efficient relocation of displaced persons, including, when appropriate, Housing of Last Resort as required in 49 C.F.R. Part 24, and these regulations.

(7) Moving and Related Expenses. Any displaced person is entitled to payment of actual moving and related expenses, as the Agency determines to be reasonable and necessary, as outlined in 49 C.F.R. Part 24, subject to the following provisions:

(a) In a residential or non-residential self-move, if the Agency questions the reasonableness of a moving expense, the Agency shall obtain an estimate of customary charges for the appropriate moving activity. If the estimate obtained by the agency is less than the charges submitted by the displaced person, for the same activity, the Agency shall reimburse the lesser amount.

(b) When the cost of moving personal property from a residential or non-residential property is expected to exceed $10,000, two estimates of moving costs shall be obtained prior to beginning the move. The amount of the payment is limited to the lower of the two estimates. When a move is expected to cost less than $10,000, a single move estimate prepared by a commercial mover or an Agency employee shall be sufficient.

(c) Moves that require special handling of items to be moved, or subcontracted labor, will be monitored by the Agency. In moves of specialty operations, such as plant nurseries or industrial plants, a specialist may be hired to provide the required monitoring. A detailed monitoring report will include:

1. Date and time of report;

2. Location, such as acquired or replacement site;

3. Number and types of personnel, such as general laborer or foreman, actually involved in the move, including time period each worked;

4. Equipment being used in the move;

5. Quantity of inventory moved during the monitoring period;

6. Special services performed, such as electrical, plumbing, etc., with breakdown as to work done per item, per length of time;

7. Unusual circumstances or special conditions affecting the move during the reporting period; and,

8. Advisory services provided during the monitoring period.

(d) When a move is monitored, eligibility for payment shall be contingent on an executed written agreement between the Agency and the displaced person(s) as to:

1. The date and time the move is to begin;

2. The items that are listed as part of the realty in the appraisal report and which are not eligible for moving expense reimbursement; and,

3. The displaced person’s list of items to be moved.

(e) The displaced person shall provide the Agency with, or allow the Agency to take, pre-move and post-move inventories. The Agency will reimburse only costs associated with the personal property actually moved.

(f) After the displaced person receives actual direct loss payment for the items, upon request by the Agency, the displaced person shall transfer to the Agency ownership of personal property that has not been moved, sold, or traded. In the event the Agency acquires personal property as part of the real estate transaction, such personal property shall not be included in the calculation of Relocation Assistance benefits.

(g) If no effort to sell personal property is made by the displaced person(s) and the personal property is abandoned, the displaced person is entitled to neither payment for moving said personal property nor payment for direct loss upon its abandonment.

(h) A business, non-profit organization, or farm operation must provide the Agency with notice of the approximate date of the start of the move at least seven days in advance.

(i) In a non-residential move, the displaced person(s) shall not give permission to a mover to begin the move before receiving authorization from the Agency.

(j) For moves requiring special handling, complete move specifications shall be written by the displaced person(s) or the Agency, or the Agency’s designee.

(k) A business may be eligible to choose a fixed payment in-lieu of payment for actual moving and related expenses, and actual reasonable reestablishment expenses, as provided by 49 C.F.R. Part 24. The displaced business is eligible for a fixed payment if the Agency determines that the business meets all qualifying criteria under 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(l) All pollutants or contaminants, as defined in Chapters 376 and 403, F.S., which are not hazardous wastes, shall not be abandoned and shall be disposed of or moved to the replacement site by the displaced person owner/operator in accordance with Chapters 376 and 403, F.S.

1. The Department shall pay the lesser of the cost of disposal or the cost to move, except in cases where materials cannot be moved in accordance with governing regulations. In such cases, the Agency will pay the cost of proper disposal. The displaced person shall be responsible for the actual disposal of such material.

2. If disposal of hazardous material is a part of the normal operation of the displaced business, the Department shall not pay for the cost of such disposal. If, however, the operation maintains a schedule for the pick-up or transportation of hazardous material to a disposal site and is required to move the material at an unscheduled time, the Department shall pay the actual, reasonable, and necessary extra costs associated with the unscheduled move.

(8) Replacement Housing Payments. Persons displaced from a dwelling acquired for a transportation project are eligible for replacement housing payments in accordance with the payments delineated in 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(a) A displaced person is eligible for the replacement housing payment for a 90-day homeowner-occupant in accordance with criteria of 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(b) Typical Homesite Determination.

1. Typical Tract for Area: If the acquired dwelling is located on a tract typical in size for residential use in the area, the maximum purchase additive payment is the probable selling price of a comparable replacement dwelling on another typical tract, less the acquisition price of the acquired dwelling and the tract on which it is situated. If an uneconomic remnant remains after a partial taking and the owner declines to sell that remnant to the Agency, the fair market value of the remainder will not be added to the acquisition cost of the acquired dwelling for the purposes of computing the replacement housing payment.

2. Large Tract for Area: If the acquired dwelling is located on a tract larger in size than is typical for residential use in the area, the maximum purchase additive payment is the probable selling price of a comparable replacement dwelling on a typical tract, less the sum of the acquisition price of the acquired dwelling (on the portion of land typical in size for residential use in the area), plus any severance damages to the dwelling or typical homesite area.

3. Higher and Better Use Tract: If the acquired dwelling is located on a tract where the fair market value is established as a higher and better use than residential, the maximum replacement housing payment is the probable selling price of a comparable replacement dwelling on a typical tract, less the sum of the acquisition price of the acquired dwelling (on the portion of land typical in size for residential use in the area), plus any severance damages to the dwelling or typical homesite.

4. Joint Residential/Business Use: If the acquired dwelling was part of a property that contained another dwelling unit or space used for non-residential purposes, only that portion of the acquisition payment which is actually attributable to the displacement dwelling shall be considered its acquisition cost when computing the price differential. To determine what constitutes the typical homesite, a tract typical for residential use in the area must be used, even if a portion of that tract is used for other than residential purposes.

5. Carve-Outs of Homesites: When determining the typical homesite portion of the acquisition price, the actual price paid for the portion of the homesite in the taking area plus the value of the residential improvements in the taking area, plus any severance damages to either the remainder of the dwelling or homesite area shall be used. If damages are assigned to the entire remainder without an allocation between the remainder of the homesite and the excess land remaining, the damages shall be prorated between these remainders to establish the acquisition price of the dwelling, including the structure and land. In areas where a typical homesite cannot be determined due to differences in tract sizes within a residential area, the area actually utilized for residential purposes by the displaced person shall be used to compute the replacement housing payment. Consideration shall be given to locations of driveways and fences, outbuildings, gardens, and pools, and to the area maintained for residential usage. If all or part of areas occupied by non-residential structures must be included in order to create a homesite tract typical of the area, the typical homesite shall be figured using whatever portion of those areas are necessary. For replacement dwellings which are on tracts larger than typical for residential use in the area where the excess land is used for nonresidential purposes, the replacement housing payment shall be calculated using the actual cost of the replacement dwelling plus the prorated portion of the site which is typical for residential use.

(c) Displaced persons are not required to relocate to the same occupancy status (owner or tenant) as existing prior to acquisition, and may choose payment benefits for an alternate occupancy status, if eligible:

1. At the displaced person’s request, a dwelling which changes the occupancy status of the displaced person(s) shall be provided, if such a dwelling is available and can be provided more economically.

2. The total rental assistance payment to a 90-day owner (a person who has owned and occupied the residence for at least 90 days prior to the Agency making an offer to purchase it) is determined by calculating the difference between the market rent and average monthly utilities costs for the acquired dwelling and the actual rent and estimated monthly utilities costs of a comparable rental dwelling available on the market, multiplied by 42 months. Under no circumstances would the rental assistance payment exceed the amount that could have been received if the 90-day owner remained under an ownership status.

(d) Single Household, Multiple Occupancy: If two or more displaced persons occupying the displacement dwelling move to separate replacement dwellings and the Agency determines only one household existed, payment shall be as follows:

1. If a comparable replacement dwelling is not available and the displaced persons are required to relocate separately, a replacement housing payment will be computed for each person separately, based on housing which is comparable to the quarters privately occupied by each individual plus the full value of the community rooms shared with other occupants.

2. If a comparable replacement dwelling is available, the displaced persons are entitled to a prorated share of the singular relocation payment allowable had they moved together to a single dwelling.

(e) Multiple Household, Multiple Occupancy: If two or more displaced persons occupying the displacement dwelling move to separate replacement dwellings and the Agency determines that separate households had been maintained in the displacement dwelling, the replacement housing payment computation shall be based on housing which is comparable to the quarters privately occupied by each individual plus a prorated share of the value of community rooms shared with other occupants. If two or more displaced persons occupying the displacement dwelling move to a single comparable replacement dwelling, they shall be entitled to only one replacement housing payment under this subsection.

(f) Partial Ownership: When a single-family dwelling is owned by several persons, but not occupied by all of the owners, the replacement housing payment for the displaced owner-occupants is the lesser of the difference between the total acquisition price of the replacement dwelling and the amount determined by the Agency as necessary to purchase a comparable replacement dwelling or the actual cost of the replacement dwelling.

1. The displaced owner-occupants may choose a rent supplement payment instead of a purchase additive. The rent supplement shall be based on the Agency’s determination of the fair market/economic rent of the displacement dwelling.

2. To receive the entire replacement housing payment, the owner-occupant must purchase and occupy a replacement dwelling for an amount equal to his or her share of the acquisition payment for the acquired dwelling plus the amount of the replacement housing payment.

(g) A 90-day tenant (persons who rent and occupy a dwelling as a domicile for at least 90 days prior to the Agency making an offer to purchase it) displaced from a dwelling is entitled to a rental assistance payment as outlined in 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

(h) Any displaced person eligible for a rental assistance payment, except a 90-day owner occupant, may choose to use that payment as a down payment supplement, including incidental expenses, to purchase a replacement dwelling, subject to the following:

1. The full amount of the replacement housing payment for down-payment assistance must be applied to the purchase price of the replacement dwelling and related incidental expenses.

2. If the actual required down payment, plus incidental expenses, exceeds the amount of rental assistance eligibility calculated and is no more than $7,200, the payment will be increased to $7,200.

3. If the required down payment on the replacement dwelling exceeds $7,200 and the rental assistance payment allowable does not exceed $7,200, the down payment supplement shall be limited to $7,200. If the rental assistance payment allowable exceeds $7,200, the full amount of the rental assistance payment shall be used as the down payment supplement under the provisions of Last Resort Housing as outlined in 49 C.F.R. Part 24.

4. The full amount of the down payment assistance payment shall be applied to the purchase price of the replacement dwelling and related incidental expenses and shall be shown on an executed closing statement or similar documentation for the replacement dwelling.

(i) Displaced persons who are less than 90-day occupants are entitled to a replacement housing payment as outlined in 49 C.F.R. Part 24. Additionally, to be eligible for a replacement housing payment, displaced persons who are less than 90-day occupants must be in occupancy at the time the Agency obtains title to the property. The displaced person will be allowed to relocate prior to the Agency taking title to the property if the Agency determines that continued occupancy would be a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the displaced person, or if the Agency determines that replacement housing is scarce and may not be available at the time the Agency obtains title to the property.

(9) Mobile Homes. Under 49 C.F.R. Part 24, a mobile home on an acquired parcel is either acquired as part of the real property and is included in the Agency’s acquisition of the fee parcel or is purchased as personal property and not included in the acquisition of the fee parcel.

(a) If the mobile home is considered personal property, the Agency will determine whether or not the mobile home can be relocated.

(b) If the mobile home can be relocated, the owner is eligible for reimbursement for the cost to move the mobile home.

(c) If the Agency determines that the mobile home cannot be relocated, the mobile home is eligible for purchase and the Agency will make an offer to purchase, based on the fair market value of the mobile home. If the mobile home owner does not agree to sell the mobile home to the Agency and the displaced person is the owner-occupant of the mobile home, the price differential described in 49 C.F.R. Part 24, shall be the lesser of:

1. The reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling; or

2. The purchase price of the decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling actually purchased and occupied by the displaced person;

3. Minus the higher of:

a. The salvage value, or

b. The trade-in value.

(d) If the Agency determines that it is practical to relocate the mobile home, but the owner-occupant elects not to do so, then, for the purposes of calculating a price differential under 49 C.F.R. Part 24, the cost of a comparable replacement dwelling shall be the sum of:

1. The fair market value of the mobile home;

2. The cost of any necessary modifications or repairs. Necessary modifications or repairs shall mean those needed to reestablish the mobile home to its previous state prior to displacement or to make it decent, safe, and sanitary; and,

3. The estimated cost to move the mobile home to a replacement site, not to exceed a distance of 50 miles. The mobile home owner-occupant still owns the mobile home and is responsible for moving it from the acquired site. If the mobile home is abandoned, the Agency may remove it from the site.

(e) If a mobile home owner-occupant retains and re-occupies a mobile home which is not decent, safe, and sanitary, the costs necessary to bring it up to decent, safe, and sanitary standards may be claimed from the available price differential or down payment supplement. The amount claimed may not exceed the amount allowed in the replacement housing payment computation. The Agency will not disburse a payment until the mobile home meets decent, safe, and sanitary requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R., Part 24 or applicable local housing standards.

(f) If the Agency acquires or purchases a mobile home as personal property, the mobile home owner shall provide, upon request, a bill of sale and a transfer of the title for the mobile home to the Agency.

(10) Claim Filing and Documentation. Each relocation payment claim shall be accompanied by complete documentation supporting expenses incurred, such as bills, receipts, and appraisals. The Agency shall provide assistance to a displaced person as necessary to complete and file any required claim for payment.

(a) Displaced persons shall provide the Agency with valid copies of the closing statement for the replacement dwelling or other documentation of expenses incurred in order to receive reimbursement for incidental closing expenses. Reimbursable expenses which are incurred by the origination of a new mortgage for the replacement dwelling shall be based upon the lesser of the balance of the mortgage on the acquired dwelling or the balance of the new mortgage on the replacement dwelling. Eligible expenses, except mortgage interest differential payments, are reimbursable regardless of the length of time a mortgage has been in effect on the displacement acquired dwelling.

(b) In order for a displaced person to receive reimbursement for a rent supplement, the displaced person shall provide the Agency with evidence of rent and utility costs at the displacement dwelling, rent and utility costs at the replacement dwelling, and gross monthly household income.

(c) In order to receive reimbursement for a down payment supplement the displaced person(s) shall provide the Agency with a copy of the purchase contract and a copy of the closing statement for the replacement dwelling.

(d) The displaced person(s) shall certify that the displacement dwelling is the domicile of the displaced person(s) and the length of time he or she has occupied the displacement dwelling. The displaced person(s) shall also certify the date that the replacement dwelling was occupied and shall state that to the best of his or her knowledge, the replacement dwelling meets decent, safe, and sanitary requirements.

(e) Payments shall be made after the move is completed unless a hardship exists.

(f) When advance payments due to hardship are made, displaced persons shall demonstrate the need therefor by providing evidence thereof, and shall certify in writing that the payment satisfies any further claim for reimbursement of items for which that claim is intended, and that the displaced person will comply with applicable provisions in the move of their personal property.

(g) Displaced persons shall provide written authorization in the application if a replacement housing payment is to be made to other parties on their behalf. If an eligible displaced person wishes the payment for moving costs to be made directly to a vendor, such request must be made in writing.

(h) If a condemnation suit has been filed, prior to receiving a replacement housing payment, the displaced person(s) must agree to a condemnation clause that has been incorporated into Department Form 575-040-14, Application and Claim for Replacement Housing Payment, Rev. 5/15, incorporated herein by reference https://www.flrules.org/gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05462 and available at http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/proceduraldocuments/forms/forms.asp.

1. Upon final determination of the condemnation proceedings, the replacement housing payment shall be recomputed using the acquisition price established by the court or by stipulated settlement and the lesser of the actual price of the decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling or the cost of a comparable replacement dwelling.

2. If the amount awarded exceeds the actual price of a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling or comparable replacement dwelling, the displaced person(s) shall refund to the Agency an amount equal to the amount of the excess. The refund will not exceed the full amount of the initial replacement housing payment calculation.

(i) In the event the Department determines that the acquisition of a portion of property will require a displacement, the Department will offer to relocate the affected person.

Rulemaking Authority 334.044(2), 339.09(2) FS. Law Implemented 339.09(2), (3), 421.55 FS. History–New 8-9-72, Formerly 14-66.07, Amended 11-24-92, 12-7-00, 4-17-07, 7-21-15.