Interview Instruments for Buyout Participants, Remaining Residents, and Project Managers in Harris County, Texas

This study focused on the impact of floodplain buyouts on neighborhood changes in Harris County, Texas. The investigators conducted interviews with Harris County residents who have experienced neighborhood change caused by floodplain buyouts implemented between 2001 and 2010. To recruit interviewees, a stratified sampling procedure was used to identify block groups with higher-, middle-, and lower-social vulnerability based on the social vulnerability index (SVI). 120 buyout participants and 153 remaining residents were randomly selected from each block group with different social vulnerability levels. Then, recruitment letters were sent out to potential subjects by mail, asking if they would like to participate in the study. The study conducted interviews with ten residents (five from buyout participants and five from remaining residents) with topics including flood experiences and property damages, reasons to choose to relocate or stay, experiences during the buyout process, descriptions about neighborhood conducted buyouts, neighborhood changes or comparisons of sending and receiving neighborhoods, and some demographic questions. In addition, an interview with a buyout manager from the implementing agency was conducted with topics on plans for the acquired land and the residents remaining in place. This project includes the IRB protocol, informed consent forms, recruitment instruments, and interview instruments.