A Buyout Displacement Index for Uncovering the Effects of Disinvestment in Greater Houston Watersheds.

This article examines the equity implications of flood hazard buyouts in Harris County, Texas, focusing on how buyouts interact with infrastructure investments across diverse watersheds. Using geographic mapping and a novel buyout displacement index—which compares per capita flood infrastructure investments to acres of property bought out—the study reveals that buyouts in socially vulnerable, predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods often coincide with disinvestment and displacement, while wealthier, whiter areas receive more infrastructure investment alongside buyouts. The index identifies five watersheds with negative values, indicating disproportionate reliance on buyouts without adequate flood protection infrastructure, highlighting systemic inequities in flood risk management. This metric offers policymakers a tool to assess and address disparities in flood mitigation strategies within the context of climate change and urban development.