FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grant Programs
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future natural disasters. The funds may be applied for by state, tribal, or local governments. Individual homeowners are not eligible to apply, but their local government can apply on their behalf. Currently, FEMA administers the following two grant programs:
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is authorized by Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Actto help communities implement hazard mitigation measures following a Presidential disaster. After a Presidential major disaster declaration, HMGP is available in the areas of the State requested by the Governor. Tribal governments may also submit a request for a major disaster declaration within their impacted area. Projects completed using the HMGP funds must be a long-term solution that willreduce or eliminate losses from future disasters. An example of an HMGP project iselevating a home to reduce flood damages as opposed to using sandbags and pumps to fight flooding. The HMGP has limited funding and is administered by the state, which prioritizes and selects the project applications to fund.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program is authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 with the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA requires state, tribal, and local governments to adopt hazard mitigations plans in order to be eligible to receive non-emergency disaster funds. Examples of FMA projects include but are not limited to acquisition, elevation, or floodproofing. The FMA program is competitive and applications are chosen to be funded based on the ranking, eligibility, and the cost-effectiveness of the project.
To initiate any action for the development of a grant application, the proposed project must first be on the County’s approved mitigation project list. The Local Mitigation Strategy Workgroup prepares this mitigation project list as a part of the implementation of the County’s Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS). For more information on the LMS, please visit the Collier County Emergency Management Division or contact, Local Mitigation Strategy Staff Liaison, Amy.Howard@collier.gov, or call (239) 252-3608.