TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the extension of the deadline for local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma to apply for grant funding through the $75 million Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program. The original application deadline of August 15, 2019, has been extended to October 1, 2019. Grant funding can be used by local governments to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high risk flood areas or to match funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).