Relocation Plan Review

Under Wisconsin Relocation Law, public agencies and local governments undertaking a publicly-funded activity that displaces persons from their homes, farms, or businesses are required to file a relocation plan with the state's Relocation Unit. The overall goal is to minimize the hardship to persons affected by a Public Project.

Flooding and other natural disasters are not considered Public Projects.  Post disaster remediation efforts to avoid future damage may be considered a Public Project if specific conditions are met.  Flood victims taking advantage of federal buyout programs are not automatically presumed to be Displaced Persons eligible for relocation benefits.  To be eligible for relocation benefits, a Displaced Person needs to be approached by a condemner agency interested in acquiring their property, there must be a legal occupant residing in the subject property and s/he has not signed any voluntary participation agreement.  Voluntary participation agreements trigger a forfeiture of relocation benefits.

A relocation plan needs to explain the steps the agency or local government unit has taken to:

• Help displaced owners and tenants find suitable replacement dwellings, farms or business locations.
• Inform displaced persons on available state, federal, and local assistance programs.
• Determine costs of relocation payments and services.
• Ensure that persons are not required to vacate dwellings until they have had a reasonable chance to find replacement dwellings.

The Relocation Unit can help governments and agencies develop equitable relocation plans, payments, and services, and also can assist in the resolution of disagreements. It can provide informational materials on relocation and eminent domain laws, as well as sample formats for plans and waivers.

• The Rights of Landowners Under Wisconsin Eminent Domain Law, Procedures Under sec. 32.06 Wisconsin Statutes
• The Rights of Landowners Under Wisconsin Eminet Domain Law, Procedures Under sec. 32.05 Wisconsin Statutes in English
• The Rights of Landowners Under Wisconsin Eminent Domain Law, Procedures Under sec. 32.05 Wisconsin Statutes in Spanish
• Wisconsin Relocation Rights Residential
• Wisconsin Relocation Rights-Residential in Hmong
• Wisconsin Relocation Rights for Businesses, Farm and NonProfit Organizations

• Relocation Plan Sample Format
• Individual Case Report
• Waiver of Benefits
• Relocation Complaint
• Decent Safe and Sanitary Inspection Worksheet

• Chapter 32, Wisconsin Statutes
• Comm 202, Wisconsin Administrative Code
• Federal Acquisition, Appraisal and Relocation Law

Content

For more information, interested agencies and governments should contact Jack Sanderson at (608) 267-0317 for further assistance.