Hazard Mitigation Grants

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant program is designed to provide funding to protect life and property from future natural disasters. Currently, there are three programs: 

• Pre-Disaster Mitigation provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects on an annual basis.
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster.
• Flood Mitigation Assistance provides funds for projects to reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program on an annual basis.

Mitigation Grant Opportunities

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Information related to the FEMA post-disaster hazard mitigation grants.

HMGP Funding

The HMGP provides funds to states, territories, tribal governments, and other communities after a disaster, to reduce or eliminate future risk to lives and property from natural hazards. The intent for funding of hazard mitigation plans and projects is to reduce the need for reliance on taxpayer-funded federal assistance for disaster recovery. Mitigation also minimizes the overall risk to lives and property. State and local governments, tribal organizations, and certain private non-profits may be eligible to apply for funding to cover projects including:

• Stormwater upgrades
• Drainage and culvert improvements
• Property acquisition
• Slope stabilization
• Infrastructure protection
• Seismic and wind retrofits, and
• Structure elevations
• Wildfire Mitigation

HMGP funding is available to all communities in the RI that meet the sub-applicant and project eligibility requirements. Federal funding for this grant program is available following a major federal disaster declaration. HMGP funds are available based on a percentage of the total Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The HMGP is competitive statewide and is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant programs are not intended to fund repair, replacement, or deferred maintenance activities. They are designed to assist sub-applicants in developing long-term, cost-effective improvements that will reduce or eliminate risk of damage to people and property caused by natural hazards. Projects that address operation, deferred or future maintenance, repairs or replacement (without a change in the level of protection provided) of existing structures, facilities, or infrastructure(e.g., dredging, debris removal, replacement of obsolete utility systems, bridges, and facility repair/rehabilitation) are not considered eligible mitigation grant activities. 

Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for HMA funds; however, an eligible Applicant or sub-applicant may apply for funding on behalf of individuals and businesses.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

The FMA grant program strengthens national preparedness and resilience and supports the mitigation mission area through FEMA’s strategic goal of building a culture of preparedness.

Eligible Activities:

• Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) (B)(ii):
• Repetitive Loss (RL)
• SRL (B)(i)

Key Points: FEMA has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FMA grant program. RIEMA encourages reviewing the FMA NOFO before applying, as it provides detailed information and other grant application and administration requirements.