(a) In addition to payments otherwise authorized by this chapter, the state agency shall make an additional payment not in excess of twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($22,500) to any displaced person who is displaced from a dwelling actually owned and occupied by the displaced person for not less than 180 days prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the property. The additional payment shall include the following:
(1) The amount, if any, which, when added to the acquisition cost of the dwelling acquired by the state agency, equals the reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling.
(2) The amount, if any, which will compensate a displaced person for any increased interest costs and other debt service costs which the displaced person is required to pay for financing the acquisition of any comparable replacement dwelling. The amount for any increased interest or debt service costs shall be determined in accordance with the criteria established by the state agency. The amount shall be paid only if the dwelling acquired by the state agency was encumbered by a bona fide mortgage which was a valid lien on the dwelling for not less than 180 days immediately prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the dwelling.
(3) Reasonable expenses incurred by the displaced person for evidence of title, recording fees, and other closing costs incident to the purchase of the replacement dwelling, but not including prepaid expenses.
(b) The additional payment authorized by subsection (a) shall be made only to a displaced person who purchases and occupies a replacement dwelling which is decent, safe, and sanitary not later than the end of the one-year period beginning on the date on which he or she receives final payment of all costs for the acquired dwelling, or the date on which the state agency obligation under Section 18-4-12 is met, whichever is the later date, except that the state agency may extend the period for good cause. If the period is extended, the payment under this section shall be based on the cost of relocating the person to a comparable replacement dwelling within one year of the date.
Last modified: May 3, 2021