Value Assurance Program
East Palestine Long-Term Value Assurance Program (“VAP”)
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Effective August 5, 2026, the Interim VAP will conclude and the Long-Term VAP will begin. Please see important program details below.
Norfolk Southern Corporation (“Norfolk Southern”) has developed a Long-Term Value Assurance Program (“VAP”) to address any remaining homeowner concerns arising out of or relating to the February 3, 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the chemical release, fire, emergency response, clean-up, remediation, shelter-in-place and evacuation in and around East Palestine, Ohio following the February 3, 2023 train derailment, and the February 6, 2023 controlled release (collectively, the “Incident”), and to compensate any remaining reduction in value of eligible residential properties located in East Palestine, Ohio, and some surrounding communities, as part of final resolution of all claims. While Norfolk Southern worked toward this long-term plan, an Interim Value Assurance Program was in place since September 2023.
Effective August 5, 2026, the long-term VAP will be available to eligible property owners who have not released any claims for diminution in property value allegedly arising out of or relating to the Incident.
Like the Interim VAP, the Long-Term VAP is designed to compensate homeowners for any reduction in value in the sale of their home as a result of the Incident. Homeowners who sell an eligible property will be compensated for the difference between market value and sale price, subject to the long-term VAP program rules and requirements. As the program is designed to compensate any value lost in your home, the VAP will not buy your home.
As an additional benefit of VAP participation, homeowners who meet all eligibility criteria and sell their property for at least 95% of market value will also be eligible for reimbursement of some or all of the real estate agent’s commission paid as part of closing, subject to the long-term VAP program rules and requirements.
Homeowners will be required to follow program requirements and timely submit required documents in order to retain eligibility and receive compensation through the VAP, including the submission of a release of property claims. A release will affect your legal rights, and you may wish to discuss it with an attorney.
Pending Claims Under the Interim VAP as of August 5, 2026
VAP claims by eligible property owners who have submitted a completed and signed Offer Form and written offer to the VAP Administrator as of August 5, 2026, which has been received and acknowledged by the VAP Administrator via email, will be administered under the eligibility criteria and program procedures of the Interim VAP. Anyone who was previously eligible for the Interim VAP (but does not meet eligibility criteria of the Long-Term VAP) who has not timely submitted a completed and signed Offer Form and written offer to the VAP Administrator as of August 5, 2026 will not be eligible for VAP participation.
The Long-Term VAP, effective August 5, 2026, is intended to compensate any remaining reduction in value of Eligible Properties and is not an offer to purchase Eligible Properties or any other property, nor is it an opinion of value of any Eligible Property or any other property. This website is for informational purposes only and is not a contract or offer to enter into a contract.
The VAP booklet contains the rules and requirements of the VAP. Norfolk Southern and the VAP Administrator reserve the right to modify the terms of the VAP as described in the booklet, at their discretion upon reasonable notice.
VAP FAQs
For full eligibility details and program requirements, including defined terms, please see the VAP Booklet.
The Value Assurance Program, or VAP, is a program, rolled out by a VAP sponsor – in this case, Norfolk Southern – designed to support property values within a designated area.
To address concerns about the loss of property value arising out of or relating to the Incident.
The VAP is available from August 5, 2026 to August 5, 2031. The Interim VAP was in effect beginning on September 18, 2023, and will conclude on August 5, 2026.
No, participation in the VAP is completely voluntary. No one is being asked or required to sell their home.
Owners can contact Alvarez & Marsal, the VAP Administrator, directly at (877)-270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected]. Alvarez & Marsal has been retained by Norfolk Southern.
The VAP Booklet is designed to govern the program and to walk eligible property owners through program participation. A copy of the VAP Booklet is available on this website (see “Important Documents” or by contacting the VAP Administrator).
Owners of record of Eligible Property as of February 3, 2023, who have not released any claims for diminution in property value allegedly arising out of or relating to the Incident.
Please contact the VAP Administrator at (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected] if you need assistance determining whether you are eligible.
Eligible Properties are improved residential properties located within the Defined Program Area (see map on page 15 of the VAP Booklet) owned by eligible owners, as explained above.
Please contact the VAP Administrator at (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected] if you need assistance determining whether your property is eligible.
Eligible sales are arm’s-length, which means both parties are independent, typically motivated, have no prior relationship, and are not unduly influenced by each other. Eligible sales also include a full transfer of title at the time of the closing. Land contracts, installment contracts, or bond-for-title arrangements are not eligible. Eligible sales must close between August 5, 2026, and August 5, 2031.
In addition, eligible property owners:
- Must not be in bankruptcy at the time of sale or at the time the VAP claim is made;
- Must satisfy all outstanding liens against the Eligible Property at or prior to closing; and
- Must follow the procedures detailed in the VAP Booklet, including timely submitting all required forms and documentation to the VAP Administrator.
Yes, to retain eligibility and receive compensation under the VAP, homeowners must submit a release of property claims. A sample release is available under the Important Documents section of this website, below.
A release will affect your legal rights, and you may wish to discuss it with an attorney.
The Approved Real Estate Agents are licensed and experienced real estate agents who specialize in residential properties in and around East Palestine, Ohio. The Approved Real Estate Agents are not employees of Norfolk Southern or the VAP Administrator.
If you are a real estate agent who would like to be an approved agent for the VAP, or if you would like to recommend a real estate agent to be an approved agent for the VAP, please contact the VAP Administrator at (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected].
You or your agent may contact the VAP Administrator at (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected].
The Approved Real Estate Appraisers are experienced state-licensed appraisers that specialize in appraising residential properties. The Approved Real Estate Appraisers are not employees of Norfolk Southern or the VAP Administrator. The Approved Real Estate Appraisers have experience appraising residential properties in and around East Palestine, Ohio.
If you are an appraiser who would like to be an approved appraiser for the VAP, or if you would like to recommend an appraiser to be an approved appraiser for the VAP, please contact the VAP Administrator at (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail) or [email protected].
An Approved Real Estate Appraiser will appraise your property as of the date of sale, absent the influence of the Incident. The appraisal will be paid for by the VAP. The appraisal will be performed in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, using standard approaches to value, in accordance with local market practices. Comparable properties will be selected from outside the Defined Program Area (see map in VAP Booklet page 15).
You have the right to challenge the Market Value assigned to your property by following the procedures identified in the VAP Booklet.
VAP compensation is based on a comparison of sale price and Market Value:
| Comparison of Sale Price and Market Value | VAP Benefits Paid |
|---|---|
| Sale Price less than 95% of Market Value | Market Value less Sale Price |
| Sale Price greater than or equal to 95% but less than 100% of Market Value | Market Value less Sale Price, plus up to 6% of sale price for agents’ commission paid |
| Sale Price greater than or equal to 100% of Market Value | Up to 6% of sale price for agents’ commission paid |
No, Norfolk Southern is not offering to purchase Eligible Properties. The VAP compensates eligible owners as described in “How is VAP compensation determined?” FAQ item above.
VAP compensation is based on a comparison of sale price and Market Value, not loan amount. You should contact your mortgage holder if you have any questions about the amount you owe on your property.
Norfolk Southern Field Office in East Palestine
248 North Market Street
East Palestine, OH 44413
Important Documents
VAP Booklet
Claim Form
Offer Form
VAP Participant Release
Approved Real Estate Agents
If you are an Eligible Property Owner who chooses to participate in the VAP, you must use an Approved Real Estate Agent to list and sell your property. Participation in the VAP is voluntary, and you do not have to sell your property. For important eligibility criteria and program requirements, please see the VAP Booklet.
If you are a real estate agent that would like to participate as an Approved Real Estate Agent for the VAP, or you are a property owner that would like to recommend a real estate agent as an Approved Real Estate Agent for the VAP, please contact the VAP Administrator at [email protected] or (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail line).
Approved Real Estate Appraisers
The VAP will use an Approved Real Estate Appraiser to determine the Market Value of your property, as described in the VAP Booklet. In addition, you must use an Approved Real Estate Appraiser if you choose to challenge the initial determination of Market Value, subject to the eligibility and program requirements described in the VAP Booklet.
If you are a real estate appraiser that would like to participate as an Approved Real Estate Appraiser for the VAP, please contact the VAP Administrator at [email protected] or (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail line).
VAP Administrator Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (877) 270-6970 (toll-free voicemail line)