11-962. Relocation assistance advisory services

A. Programs or projects undertaken by an acquiring agency shall be planned in a manner that both:

1. Recognizes, at an early stage in the planning of the programs or projects and before the commencement of any actions which will cause displacements, the problems associated with the displacement of individuals, families, businesses and farm operations.

2. Provides for the resolution of problems in order to minimize adverse impacts on displaced persons and to expedite program or project advancement and completion.

B. An acquiring agency may provide that the relocation assistance advisory services described in subsection C are made available to all persons displaced by the agency. If the agency determines that a person occupying property which is immediately adjacent to the property where the displacing activity occurs is caused substantial economic injury as a result of the activity, the agency may make advisory services available to the person.

C. The relocation assistance advisory services provided by subsection B shall include such measures, facilities or services necessary or appropriate to:

1. Determine and make timely recommendations on the needs and preferences of displaced persons for relocation assistance.

2. Provide current and continuing information on the availability, sales prices and rental charges of comparable replacement dwellings for displaced homeowners and tenants and suitable locations for businesses and farm operations.

3. Assist a person who is displaced from a business or farm operation in obtaining and becoming established in a suitable replacement location.

4. Supply information concerning federal, state and local programs which may be of assistance to displaced persons and technical assistance to those persons in applying for assistance through the programs.

5. Provide other advisory services to displaced persons to minimize hardships to those persons in adjusting to relocation.

D. The acquiring agency shall coordinate relocation activities performed by the agency with other federal, state or local governmental actions in the community which could affect the efficient and effective delivery of relocation assistance and related services.

E. If an acquiring agency acquires property for a program or project, a person who occupies the property on a rental basis for a short term or a period subject to termination when the property is needed for the program or project is eligible for advisory services to the extent determined by the displacing agency.