FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Funding to Rebuild Stronger

When a hurricane hits, or a wildfire burns through a town, the immediate focus is on survival and recovery. But once the debris is cleared, the question becomes: “How do we stop this from happening again?”

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is the answer to that question.

Unlike “Public Assistance” (which pays to put things back exactly as they were), HMGP pays to put things back better. It is funding specifically designed to break the cycle of disaster-damage-reconstruction.

If your community has recently suffered a Presidentially Declared Disaster, a pot of HMGP money has been unlocked. This money can be used to elevate homes above the flood line, retrofit schools to withstand earthquakes, bury power lines to prevent ice storm outages, or build safe rooms for tornado protection.

This is not a quick check. It is a complex, long-term infrastructure grant. But for communities facing the reality of climate change, it is the most powerful tool in the toolbox.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The “75% Federal Share” FEMA pays for 75 cents of every dollar. If you have a $1 million project to install floodgates, FEMA pays $750,000. The remaining $250,000 (the “Non-Federal Share”) must come from the local budget, state grants, or even “in-kind” contributions (like volunteer labor or donated land).

• Note: For “Small Impoverished Communities,” the federal share can go up to 90%.

Flexibility of Funds Here is the secret: HMGP money doesn’t have to be spent on the same hazard that caused the disaster. If you get HMGP money because of a flood, you can use it to mitigate wildfire risk. The pot of money is tied to the disaster, but the use of the money is tied to your Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Property Acquisition (Buyouts) This is one of the most effective uses of HMGP. FEMA will pay to buy a flood-prone home at its pre-disaster market value, demolish it, and turn the land into open space forever. The homeowner gets a fair price to move to high ground, and the community never has to rescue them again.

Who Should Apply

Local Governments (Subapplicants) Cities, counties, townships, and parishes are the primary users of this grant. You apply to your State.

Tribal Governments Federally recognized tribes can apply directly to FEMA (as an Applicant) or through the State (as a Subapplicant).

Private Non-Profits (PNPs) Certain non-profits (like hospitals, utility co-ops, or universities) can apply if they provide a “government-like” service.

Homeowners? No. You cannot apply to FEMA directly. You must go to your local city or county government and ask them to apply on your behalf. If your local government isn’t interested, you can’t get the money.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

I have written successful FEMA grants, and I know where they fail. It’s almost always the BCA.

1. The Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) is Everything FEMA is an insurance company at heart. They will only fund a project if the “Future Avoided Damages” are greater than the “Project Cost.” You must use the FEMA BCA Toolkit (a complex Excel-based software).

• The Trick: You need data. “It floods here a lot” is not data. “On June 14, 2021, the water reached 3 feet, causing $45,000 in damage to the HVAC system” is data. Start collecting “Loss History” now.

2. The “5-Year Rule” Your community must have a FEMA-approved “Local Hazard Mitigation Plan” (LHMP). These plans expire every 5 years. If your plan is expired, you are ineligible. Check the date on your plan today.

3. Solve the Problem Forever FEMA hates band-aids. They want “independent solutions.” A project that requires manual intervention (e.g., “someone has to run out and close the floodgate”) scores lower than a passive solution (e.g., “elevating the road”).

4. Environmental Compliance (EHP) Do not break ground before you get the grant. If you cut down a single tree or turn a single shovel of dirt before FEMA signs the “EHP Clearance,” you lose the money. Period. This includes “staging” equipment.

5. The “Global Match” Strategy Some states allow “Global Match.” This means you can use the “over-match” from one project to cover the “under-match” of another. Ask your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) if they do this.

Application Timeline

Day 0: The Disaster Declaration

• Event: The President signs the declaration. The clock starts ticking.

Month 1-2: The “Letter of Intent” (LOI)

• Action: The State will ask locals to submit an LOI. “We are interested in applying for $500k.” Do not miss this deadline. It is often very short (30-60 days).

Month 3-6: Data Collection & BCA

• Action: Hire a consultant if you can. The BCA is hard.
• Action: Gather the engineering designs. You need a “Scope of Work” that is detailed enough to budget.

Month 9-11: State Submission

• Action: Submit the full application to the State. The State reviews it, asks for corrections, and then bundles it to FEMA.

Month 12: FEMA Deadline

• Event: The State submits the package to FEMA.

Month 12-24: The Review

• Wait: FEMA will send “Requests for Information” (RFIs). “Please clarify the hydraulic study.” Answer these immediately.

Required Materials

• Scope of Work (SOW): Detailed engineering narrative.
• Project Budget: Line-item breakdown (Construction, Engineering, Management Costs).
• Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA): The .zip file from the FEMA Toolkit.
• Maintenance Agreement: A letter promising to maintain the project forever.
• Assurances: Standard federal forms (SF-424).

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Nature-Based Solutions FEMA loves “Green Infrastructure.” Instead of a concrete culvert, propose a “living shoreline” or a “wetland restoration” that absorbs floodwater. These projects get extra points and are easier to permit.

Climate Change Multiplier You can now include “Sea Level Rise” and “Future Conditions” in your BCA. This makes it easier to justify projects that might not look cost-effective based on past data but are critical for the future.

Protection of Critical Lifelines Projects that protect hospitals, fire stations, or water treatment plants are prioritized. If the power goes out, does the hospital stop working? If yes, a generator project is a slam dunk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

“Deferred Maintenance” FEMA will not pay to fix a bridge that is falling down because you didn’t paint it. That is maintenance. They only pay to upgrade it to withstand a disaster. Frame your project as “Mitigation,” not “Repair.”

Ineligible Costs You cannot use HMGP for “Response” equipment (like fire trucks or radios). It must be for permanent infrastructure changes.

Losing the “Paper Trail” Keep every invoice. Keep every timesheet. FEMA audits are brutal. If you can’t prove you spent the $250,000 match, they will ask for the federal money back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other federal money for the match? Generally, no. You cannot match federal money with federal money (e.g., you can’t use a DOT grant to match a FEMA grant). Exception: CDBG-DR (HUD money) can be used as the local match. This is a huge loophole—use it.

Does it cover “Management Costs”? Yes! You can ask for up to 5% extra for “Management Costs” to pay your staff or consultants to manage the grant. Always ask for this.

What if the project costs go up? HMGP is a “capped” grant. If the price of concrete doubles, you are on the hook for the overrun. Build a healthy contingency (e.g., 15%) into your budget.

How long does it take to get the money? It is slow. Expect 12-18 months from application to award. Do not count on this money for immediate cash flow.

How to Apply

1. Contact your State: Go to your State Emergency Management Agency’s website. Look for “Hazard Mitigation Grants.”
2. Attend the Briefing: The State will host an “Applicant Briefing.” Attendance is often mandatory.
3. Use FEMA GO: Most applications are now submitted through the “FEMA GO” online portal. Get your login credentials early.

Disasters are inevitable. Destruction is optional. Use HMGP to build a future where the next storm is just a weather report, not a tragedy.