Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs Overview

Pending the availability of funds, MEMA conducts annual sub-grant programs for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; Flood Mitigation Assistance; Pre-Disaster Mitigation; and the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities.

The federally-funded Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs provide significant opportunities to reduce, minimize, or eliminate potential damages to property and infrastructure from natural hazard events. Funding for hazard mitigation plans and projects can reduce overall risks to the population, structures and infrastructure, while also reducing the reliance on taxpayer-funded federal disaster assistance for disaster recovery.

Individual homeowners and business owners may not apply directly to FEMA. Eligible local governments may apply on their behalf. All eligible applicants, including special districts, must have a FEMA-approved Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in place prior to applying for funding.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs are not intended as a source of funding for repair, replacement or deferred maintenance activities, but are designed to assist sub-applicants in implementing long-term, cost-effective improvements that will reduce, minimize or eliminate risk to people and property from the effects of natural hazards.  Projects that address operation, deferred or future maintenance, repairs or replacement (without an increase 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) are not eligible mitigation grant activities.

Fact Sheet (March 2021) - Summary of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs

FEMA FY 2021 Mitigation Action Portfolio

What is Hazard Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation describes the actions that reduce or eliminate long-term risks caused by natural or man-made disasters.  Hazard mitigation is an important phase in the cycle of emergency management, helping to break the repetitive cycle of damage, repair, and damage again.  Mitigation plans and projects are an improvement to the environment or infrastructure that currently exists that will allow a community to be more resilient to disasters. By implementing hazard mitigation actions now, state and local governments can build stronger, safer and smarter communities and reduce future injuries and future damage.

What Type of Work is Eligible?

Stormwater, drainage and culvert improvements, flood control, property acquisition, slope stabilization, infrastructure protection, seismic and wind retrofits, structure elevations, etc. All proposed project applications must include a formal Benefit-Cost Analysis (using FEMA-approved BCA V6.0 software) to document the project’s cost-effectiveness. Planning, HMGP 5% Initiative applications, and projects that meet pre-calculated benefits do not have this BCA requirement. Community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may also be a requirement for sub-applicant and project eligibility.

Eligible Activities for Mitigation Projects and Capability and Capacity Building Grants

	.......HMGP.......	....Post Fire*....	.......BRIC........	........FMA........
1. Mitigation Projects
Property Acquisition	♦	♦	♦	♦
Structure Elevation	♦	♦	♦	♦
Mitigation Reconstruction	♦	♦	♦	♦
Flood Risk Reduction Measures	♦	♦	♦	♦
Stabilization	♦	♦	♦	♦
Dry Floodproofing (Non-Res. Bldgs.)	♦	♦	♦	♦
Tsunami Vertical Evacuation	♦	♦	♦	No
Safe Rooms	♦	♦	♦	No
Wildfire Mitigation	♦	♦	♦	No
Retrofitting	♦	♦	♦	♦
Secondary Power Source	♦	♦	♦	No
Earthquake Early Warning Systems	♦	♦	♦	No
Innovative Mitigation Projects	♦	♦	♦	♦
2. Capability and Capacity Building
New Plan Creation and Updates	♦	♦	♦	♦
Planning-Related Activities	♦	♦	♦	♦
Project Scoping/Advance Assistance	♦	♦	♦	♦
Financial Technical Assistance	No	No	No	♦

Source: Summary of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs Fact Sheet (March 2021, FEMA) and the 2023 HMA Program and Policy Guide Part 4.D (pages 71-78)

Note: List of ineligible activities can be found in the FEMA 2023 HMA Program and Policy Guide Part 4.E (pages 79-81).

* Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire funding

What are the Benefits of Hazard Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation initiatives help communities to:

• Reduce the loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities, and economic hardship before or after a natural disaster occurs;
• Reduce short- and long-term disaster recovery and reconstruction expenses;
• Increase cooperation and communication within community departments and among other stakeholders through the planning process; and
• Increase potential for government funding for disaster recovery and reconstruction projects.

What is the Grant Cost Share?

These are reimbursement-based grant programs. Sub-applicants must also commit to the non-federal share of the proposed application cost; this is generally 25% of the total estimated project cost. In-kind services are allowable as part of the non-federal match. For some projects under the FMA grant, properties may qualify for up to 100% federal share.

What are the Tools of Hazard Mitigation?

• Land use planning and regulation of the development in hazard-prone areas, such as prohibiting new construction in a floodplain, along a coastline
• Enforcement of building codes and environmental regulations
• Public safety measures like regular maintenance of roadways, culverts, and dams
• Acquisition of properties in hazard prone areas, such as purchasing buildings located in a floodplain
• Retrofitting existing structures and improving new construction

Additional Resources

Massachusetts DCR Flood Hazard Management Program (FHMP) & National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) State Coordinating Office

Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)

Community Rating System (CRS)

Massachusetts Silver Jackets (USACE)

MA EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Program (MVP)

Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

Massachusetts Integrated State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan

Climate Change Clearinghouse for the Commonwealth

Massachusetts Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

Community Compact Connector

Where Can I Find Additional Resources?

Information on the current HMA Guidance and Addendum, fact sheets, job aids, data supplements, policies, environmental and historic preservation (EHP) guidance, and benefit-costs analysis guidance can be found in our Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs Guidance section. Formal grant briefings and technical assistance opportunities are available prior to application deadlines.