§4625 Relocation planning, assistance coordination, and advisory services

Summary

Federal agencies must plan projects early so they spot and fix problems caused by moving people, families, businesses, and farms. The agency in charge must make relocation advice and help available to everyone it moves. If a neighbor next to the project loses a lot of money because of the project, the agency may give that person advice too. Agencies must also work with other federal, state, and local actions so help is given well. When several federal agencies fund related activities that will cause moves, they can agree to use one agency’s rules. If they can’t agree, the lead agency will pick which rules to use. Related activities count as one project. The advice program must find out what people need and prefer, give current information on suitable replacement homes and prices, and help people move into comparable housing before forcing them to leave unless there is (1) a major disaster as defined in section 5122(2), (2) a national emergency the President declares, or (3) another urgent danger to life or health. It must help businesses and farms find new locations, tell people about other federal and state help and help them apply, and give other advice to reduce hardship. If an agency buys property, people who rent short-term or whose rental can be ended when the project needs the property can get advisory help as the agency decides (see section 4601(1)).