Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Description: HMGP provides funds to states, tribes, and territories to perform long-term hazard reduction after a major disaster. The purpose is to reduce the loss of life and property due to future natural disasters. One example is elevating a lift station to address flooding. Potential savings must be more than the cost of the project. Section 404 of the Stafford Act authorizes the program. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available statewide once there is a presidentially-declared disaster anywhere in the state.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Public utilities and private non-profit (PNP)
• Private for-profit (PFP) utilities may be eligible if the local government submits an application on their behalf.
• To be eligible for HMGP funding, the utility should have projects included in the local hazard mitigation plan. Contact your local mitigation officer (typically in the local emergency management agency) or ask your State Hazard Mitigation Officer for your local contact. To help work with your local mitigation officer, see EPA’s Hazard Mitigation for Natural Disasters: A Starter Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities.

Type and Cost Share: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Cost Share Guide (PDF) (28 pp, 1.1 MB, About PDF) outlines the cost share for all mitigation programs. HMGP is a grant with a 75 percent federal and 25 percent state/local match. Non-federal matches can be a combination of cash and in-kind sources (for example labor or materials). See Combine Funds for how to leverage various funds to satisfy the state/local match.

Mitigation Projects: There are several resources to help develop mitigation projects:

• EPA developed guidance to assist in developing mitigation projects for earthquakes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, droughts and power outages. See EPA’s Hazard Mitigation for Natural Disasters: Starter Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities.
• FEMA encourages mitigation strategies including green infrastructure, floodplain and stream restoration, aquifer storage and recovery, and flood diversion and storage.

Application: The "applicant" includes all 50 states, U.S territories, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. The applicant prepares and submits the application and accepts input from the sub-applicant (e.g., local government or utility). A utility should contact their local government to apply for an HMGP grant. Local governments should contact their State Hazard Mitigation Officer. The state, tribe or territory has one year from the date of disaster declaration to submit projects to FEMA. The state selects eligible projects and submits them to the FEMA Regional Office for review of compliance with federal laws and regulations. The review time depends on the complexity of the project. When awarded, the eligible recipient (e.g., state) makes sub-awards to local governments (including water utilities).

FEMA requires a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) to determine the cost-effectiveness of projects. Applicants and sub-applicants must use FEMA-approved methods and the BCA tool and technical guides.

Website: For information, see HMGP.