Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
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| Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | |
|---|---|
| Name | Hazard Mitigation Grant Program |
| Agency | Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| Formed | 1988 |
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Parent agency | Federal Emergency Management Agency |
Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides post-disaster financial assistance to reduce risk to life and property following major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. HMGP operates within a network of federal, state, and local entities including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state emergency management agencies, tribal governments, and local municipalities to implement mitigation projects such as buyouts, elevation, and infrastructure retrofits. The program intersects with national initiatives and statutes, drawing on expertise from agencies and institutions across the United States.
Overview
HMGP originates from the Stafford Act framework and is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security, the White House, and state governors after Presidential disaster declarations. The program channels funds to state and tribal grantees who work with county governments, municipal agencies, and non‑profit partners like the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. HMGP complements other federal programs and legislation such as the National Flood Insurance Program, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, and the Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery efforts, and it aligns with guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligible applicants include state emergency management agencies, federally recognized tribal governments, territorial governments such as Puerto Rico and Guam, and certain local subdivisions including counties and municipalities. Application procedures require coordination among state governors' offices, state hazard mitigation officers, county emergency managers, and tribal leaders, with technical review by FEMA headquarters and regional offices. Applications reference statutory authorities including the Stafford Act and engage partner organizations such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and academic institutions for technical studies. Projects must demonstrate consistency with state mitigation plans approved by FEMA, and applicants often collaborate with the United States Geological Survey, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and university research centers.
Funding and Program Administration
HMGP funding levels derive from a percentage of total Stafford Act disaster assistance provided after a Presidential disaster declaration, with amounts negotiated among the White House, FEMA regional offices, and state governors' offices. Administration involves grant agreements between FEMA and state administrative agencies such as state emergency management agencies, state departments of transportation, and state departments of public works, with audits by the Government Accountability Office and oversight by the Department of Homeland Security. Financial controls reference standards used by the Office of Management and Budget, and procurements follow Federal Acquisition Regulation practices, often involving consulting firms, engineering contractors, and nonprofit partners like the Nature Conservancy, the American Planning Association, and the Urban Land Institute.
Eligible Mitigation Activities
HMGP supports structural and nonstructural projects including property acquisition and demolition (buyouts), structure elevation, dry floodproofing, stormwater management, seismic retrofitting, wind retrofit measures, and safe rooms. Activities draw on engineering guidance from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, seismic standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, floodplain management guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and climate science from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Eligible projects may coordinate with programs administered by the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and conservation entities such as the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land.
Project Selection and Prioritization
State and tribal project selection processes weigh factors including cost‑benefit analysis, risk reduction metrics, and alignment with mitigation plans approved by FEMA and statutory priorities set by Congress. Prioritization involves collaboration among state hazard mitigation officers, county officials, tribal leaders, and technical reviewers from FEMA regional offices, with inputs from the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Geological Survey, and university researchers. Selection criteria often reference benefit‑cost ratios developed with guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and independent reviewers including the Government Accountability Office and academic centers.
Implementation, Monitoring, and Compliance
Implementation requires adherence to federal grant conditions, environmental and historic preservation compliance under the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, and procurement standards overseen by state administrative agencies and FEMA. Monitoring and closeout require documentation reviewed by FEMA regional offices, audits by the Office of Inspector General, and reporting consistent with the Department of Homeland Security and Office of Management and Budget requirements. Compliance activities often involve coordination with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, state historic preservation offices, tribal historic preservation officers, and regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Case Studies and Program Impact
Notable HMGP applications include large‑scale buyout programs in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and the 2011 Joplin tornado, with collaborative efforts involving the State of Louisiana, the State of New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency regional offices, local counties, and nonprofit partners. Outcomes have influenced floodplain policy in states such as North Carolina and Florida and informed resilience planning in municipalities like New Orleans, New York City, and Joplin, with research documented by institutions including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Brookings Institution, and university resilience centers. Evaluations by the Government Accountability Office and academic studies assess HMGP’s role alongside programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Flood Insurance Program, and the Army Corps of Engineers in reducing disaster losses and guiding long‑term mitigation strategy.