FEMA recently published an updated version of it’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guide to make it more user-friendly. The guide is intended to help prospective grant applicants and subapplicants with the grant writing process. It also outlines the policy and procedural requirements of Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs over the lifecycle of the grant process.
HMA programs provide funding to reduce the risk and impact of disasters such as wildfires, drought, extreme heat, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding. The guide covers four mitigation grant programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), HMGP Post Fire, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). According to FEMA, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments may use the guide to navigate the application process and manage the grant lifecycle to receive critical resilience dollars. Information in the guide includes policies and processes to enable effective and consistent implementation across all HMA programs.
The update consolidates information and eligibility requirements for HMA projects addressing air quality, drought, extreme temperatures, wildfire and wind. It also reflects recent policy changes to simplify program delivery through streamlined cost effectiveness methods and a lower benefit-cost analysis discount rate. This latest update follows the update last year that incorporated climate change and future conditions, equity, building codes, capability and capacity building, nature-based solutions and community lifelines as key principles for its grant programs. It was also the first guide to cover BRIC. Water and wastewater utilities are encouraged to work with their local governments and review this guide to help apply for funding and, ultimately, enhance their operational resilience. Access the full guide at FEMA.
FEMA is offering two Office Hours sessions which provides an overview of the recent updates. Registration is now open.
- Session #1: Aug. 15, 2-3 p.m. ET
- Session #2: Sept. 12, 2-3 p.m. ET
