Norfolk Southern met with realtors and neighbors in East Palestine to answer questions about their home value program.

Through the program, Norfolk Southern will cover the decrease in home value after the train derailment, if a resident chooses to sell their home.

Any home in East Palestine or within five miles of the village is eligible.

If homeowners do accept the funds they must sign a contract with Norfolk Southern which Harden said is standard. 

“The Value Assurance Program for residents involves the signing of a property damage release only. There are no other claims that are concluded through this program, only property damage,” Harden said. 

There are currently 12 homes in the program. Norfolk Southern officials couldn’t give specific numbers on how much those homes have decreased by because they haven’t been appraised yet. 

Homes put on the market after February, or put on the market in the future, can join the program at the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center.

"We would like for everybody to stay here but for residents who are determined to leave, then that program is available to them," Will Harden, Norfolk Southern's Senior Director of Legal Claims, said.

This is a long-term program for Norfolk Southern. Officials said they will be offering the program for homes put on the market for years to come.