Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act

This bill orders a GAO study on whether the federal government should offer a voluntary home buyout program for people living in high‑risk wildfire areas. The study would look at using existing federal grants to purchase homes before or after a major wildfire, compare a wildfire buyout program to current buyouts (like those for floods), and recommend which federal agency should run it.

The study must also suggest how to build a national database of past buyouts, how FEMA and HUD should share information, and how to use the land after buyouts to reduce wildfire risk. It has to consider different needs for rural vs. urban areas and for disadvantaged vs. higher‑income communities, allow local flexibility, and recommend how to map the highest‑risk places and who would qualify. GAO must define key terms and deliver a report to Congress within 12 months that includes findings, costs, and ways to encourage homeowners to take part. A “covered buyout” is when the federal government buys a home from a willing seller because the property is in an area recognized as endangered or hit by a catastrophic natural disaster.

• Who is affected: Homeowners in high‑risk wildfire areas; communities facing repeated wildfire threats; FEMA and HUD.
• What changes now: No immediate buyouts; this only orders a study and recommendations.
• What could change later: Possible federal voluntary buyouts, a national buyout database, clearer rules for land use after buyouts.
• When: GAO’s report is due within 12 months of enactment.