Kim Barenburg
Hazard Mitigation Grant Project Program (HMGP) Manager
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs support mitigation activities that reduce or eliminate potential losses to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, fostering resilience against the past and future effects of disasters and damages including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), HMGP Post Fire, and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). HMA programs that provide funding for hazard mitigation activities including mitigation projects and capability- and capacity-building.
HMGP ensures that state, local, tribal and territorial governments have the financial opportunity to plan for and implement mitigation measures that reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future natural disasters during the reconstruction process following a disaster. HMGP funding is available when authorized through a major disaster declaration. All applicants and subapplicants must have a FEMA-approved mitigation plan that has been adopted by the jurisdiction and applicable mitigation planning policies to receive HMGP funding.
HMGP Post Fire assistance is available to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters in any area that receives a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration. HMGP Post Fire assistance for hazard mitigation measures that substantially reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss or suffering in any area affected by a fire for which assistance was provided. Unlike HMGP, the availability of HMGP Post Fire assistance is not contingent on a major disaster declaration and is instead triggered by an FMAG declaration. States and territories that have received an FMAG declaration and certain federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for assistance under HMGP Post Fire.
Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement:
TO DOWNLOAD NOTICE
DR-4730: 2023 Spring Floods
State deadline to FEMA is: November 21, 2024
Community HMGP Application Deadline to State: October 24, 2024
DR-4767: 2023 Wrangell Landslide & Weather
State deadline to FEMA is: April 6, 2024
Community HMGP Application Deadline to State: March 7, 2024
DR-4836: 2024 Alaska Flooding
State deadline to FEMA is: October 16, 2025
Community HMGP Application Deadline to State: August 7, 2025
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM), as the designated State of Alaska grantee, announces available statewide sub-grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for DR 4730, DR-4767, and DR-4836. The HMGP grants shall be awarded on a statewide competitive basis and are funded at 75% federal share and 25% state share basis.
Eligible Applicant / Sub-applicants:
State-level agencies, state and federally recognized Indian tribal governments, local governments, Alaska native villages, public and tribal colleges and universities may apply as sub-grant applicants for project or planning funds. Private Non-profit Organizations (PNP) and private colleges and universities are eligible. All sub-grant applicants must have a FEMA approved and community adopted Local All-Hazard Mitigation Plan meeting the requirements of 44 CFR Part 201 and 206.434(b) to submit HMGP Project Applications.
Eligible Mitigation Activities Include:
The HMGP can be used to fund projects to protect either public or private property, as long as the project fits within State and local government mitigation strategies to address areas of risk and complies with program guidelines.
- Voluntary property acquisition (structure demolition or relocation for open space in perpetuity)
- Structure elevation (existing public or private structures to avoid flooding)
- Dry flood proofing historical residential and non-residential structures (in compliance with 44 CFR 59.1, 60.3)
- Minor localized flood reduction projects to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from storm water or flood hazards (Culverts, diversions, detention or retention basins, floodwalls, berms, levees, dikes)
- Structural retrofitting of existing buildings and facilities (foundations, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, building envelope, structural floors and roofs and connections between these elements)
- Nonstructural retrofitting of existing buildings and facilities (bracing, strapping of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, lighting, ceilings windows, parapet walls, contents like equipment, racks, shelves or cabinets)
- Infrastructure retrofit of utilities for protective measures (bury, harden, brace, elevate, seismic shut-off valves)
- Soil stabilization (geo-textiles, stabilization/anchoring, vegetation, rip rap)
- Wildfire mitigation (defensible space, ignition-resistant, hazardous fuels reduction)
- Post-disaster code enforcement (support of future adoption and/or implementation)
- Generator (protects a critical facility, is a component of a larger project, and portable generators)
- 5% “Initiative” projects (public awareness or education about mitigation, equipment and warning systems)
- Developing State, local or tribal hazard mitigation plans (new or update)
HMGP Project Grant Application requirements are intensive and include the following:
- Submission of detailed and thorough scopes of work
- Comprehensive cost estimates with supporting documentation
- Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) with a ratio of 1.0 or greater (planning applications do not require a BCA) (see below)
- Demonstration that the project is technically feasible and ready to implement
- Includes and meets environmental/historic preservation plans
Funding
Alaska’s HMGP funding is equal to 15% of the federal disaster assistance dollars provided by FEMA for DR-4730, DR-4767 and DR-4836. FEMA determines a thirty-day estimate, a six-month estimate, and a final twelve-month “lock-in” amount for HMGP funds. HMGP application review, ranking and submission to FEMA for funding is managed by DHS&EM and will be reviewed by the State Hazard Mitigation Advisory Comittee (SHMAC), with the State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) having the final word.
HMGP is competitive and open to all eligible entities in Alaska, regardless of whether they were specifically named in the Disaster Declarations.
Mitigation Grant Program Guidance and Benefit-Cost Analysis Requirements
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide (2023 edition) covers all requirements related to the DR-4730, DR-4767 and DR-4836 HMGP cycle (e.g., applicant and proposal eligibility, funding caps, cost shares, information on specific project types, and other programmatic details). It is available for free download on FEMA’s Publications website.
A Notice of Interest will need to be submitted to DHS&EM prior to filling out an application.
Full HMGP project applications (not pre-application forms) require a complete and credible Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to demonstrate a project cost-effectiveness ratio of at least 1.0 using FEMA’s BCA software, version 6.0, which is available on their BCA website (https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis). All projects over $ 1 Million will require a BCA, for all project under $ 1 million will require a Cost Effectiveness Narrative.
Some mitigation project types involve complex BCAs, such as seismic retrofits, and DHS&EM has limited capacity to provide technical BCA assistance. Invitees will be encouraged to secure professional BCA and/or other application development assistance as needed from an engineer or other professional services contractors. DHS&EM cannot suggest or recommend professional service contractors but may provide examples of previously submitted BCAs to invitees upon request during the full-application development phase.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us toll free at:
Links:
HMGP application forms and other key aspects of the program are available on-line at:
