The City of New York recently ordered the demolition of a home in Hollis, Queens, marking a critical moment in the city’s response to repetitive flooding from rainfall. The Hack family’s residence, a property they owned for 34 years, was deemed structurally unsafe by the Department of Buildings (DOB) after repeated flood damage caused the foundation to partially collapse. Officials cited concerns that the foundation was at risk of falling onto a neighboring house and beyond repair, leading to the unprecedented decision to tear down the property due to flood-related damage.

Hollis, a community with a long history of flooding issues, experienced one of its worst recent events in May, when a FloodNet sensor recorded 46.1 inches of water—the highest level in the five years since the sensor’s installation. Subsequent flooding in August further compromised the Hack family’s home. The neighborhood’s vulnerability stems in part from its geography; it was originally built atop what was once Rock Hollow Pond. Across New York City, approximately 35% of land overlaps with former waterways, wetlands, beaches, dunes, or ocean areas, contributing to susceptibility to flooding.

Flooding has had deadly consequences in the area as well: during Hurricane Ida five years ago, two residents drowned in a nearby street. Beyond immediate safety risks, recurrent flooding poses significant economic challenges for families. Homes in flood-prone areas carry a 57% higher foreclosure rate compared to unflooded properties, according to analysis by the First Street Foundation. Projections suggest that by 2035, credit losses tied to flood-related foreclosures could rise to $5.36 billion nationwide, accounting for nearly 30% of total foreclosure losses. These financial impacts can erode family wealth, strain savings, and lead to higher borrowing costs in vulnerable regions, exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities.

Recent investments signal efforts to mitigate flooding risks in other New York neighborhoods. East Flatbush and Canarsie received $42 million for nearly 1,200 stormwater management installations designed to capture more than 122 million gallons of water annually. However, such infrastructure projects cannot protect all at-risk homes.

For properties beyond the reach of physical defenses, voluntary government buyouts have emerged as a potential solution. These programs, which the city is considering for Hollis and the nearby Kissena area, involve purchasing flood-damaged properties to relocate residents to safer locations. Critics caution that buyouts alone are insufficient if not paired with long-term financial counseling, affordable relocation options, and strategic housing development that avoids placing families in new high-risk areas.

With New York hosting Climate Week and drawing global attention to climate challenges, advocates urge policymakers to prioritize investments that prevent future displacement rather than reacting after disasters occur. Community leaders highlight the toll on families who face losing not only their homes but also their financial stability and autonomy amid increasing severe weather events. They call for scalable solutions that address both immediate flood control and broader social supports to protect vulnerable populations as climate impacts intensify.