A new pilot program from the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice is pursuing funding to purchase homes from the residents of the frequently flooded Jewel Street neighborhood, often referred to as The Hole, which sits multiple feet below sea-level in East New York.

The voluntary program, known as the Resilient Acquisitions Framework, would allow the city to purchase properties when there is interest from homeowners, when funding is available and a long-term use for the land from the city.

According to the program page, the city is currently asking for feedback from residents to see if homeowners would be interested in selling. The area is currently under a comprehensive plan, with HPD set to announce next steps, including future high-density housing for the area later this month.

But residents tell News 12 they've spent thousands of dollars on home-made flooding prevention efforts like pumps, building their own sidewalks and other upgrades, and don't want to walk away from their homes. They want the city’s help to make the area nice to live in, not leave.

"We want the city to do more to help with the flooding. We’ve invested a lot in the property. People move here to buy their homes, they aren’t just going to pack up and leave," said Rafat Doha, who owns a multi-floor rental property there with his family.

He hopes the city will continue to upgrade flooding infrastructure for all those who currently live in the area. Currently, homes there are not hooked up to the city's sewer system, relying instead on septic systems and pumps installed at homeowners' expense.