The FY10 HMA Grant Cycle is now open. Please see the memo and guidance below for more information.
FY10 HMA Grant Notification Memo
Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program Guidance--FFY10
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program makes funding available to local governments, state government and Indian Tribal governments to implement cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive mitigation program. Funding may be awarded for development of an all-hazards mitigation plan or for a cost-effective hazard mitigation project. The first priority is to complete an approvable plan. After November 1, 2003, local governments and Indian Tribal governments applying for PDM funds for local mitigation projects must first have an approved local mitigation plan. Successful projects receive 75% federal funding for total project costs. The applicant is responsible for 25% of project costs. The local share may in the form of in-kind services as well as dollars; however, no other federal source of money may be used to fund the local share.
All Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program applicants must be participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if they have been identified through the NFIP as having a Special Flood Hazard Area (a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) or Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) has been issued). In addition, the community must not be suspended or on probation from the NFIP.
Flood Mitigation Assistance
The Flood Mitigation Assistance program (FMA) is a cost-share program (75% federal, 25% local match) through which communities can receive grants for the development of a comprehensive flood mitigation plan and the implementation of flood mitigation projects. Communities must belong to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to receive FMA funds.
The overall goal of FMA is to fund cost-effective measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to NFIP-insured buildings, manufactured homes and other structures. Other goals are to: Reduce the number of repetitively or substantially damaged structures and the associated claims on the NFIP; encourage long-term, comprehensive mitigation planning; respond to the needs of communities participating in the NFIP; and complement other federal and state mitigation programs with similar goals.
There are two types of FMA grants available: planning grants and project grants. The funds allocated to the state are based on the number of flood insurance policies in place statewide as well as the number of identified repetitive loss properties. A repetitive loss property is any insured structure that has two or more flood insurance claims of at least $1,000 each.
To receive a FMA project grant a community must have an approved flood mitigation plan. Typically, funded FMA projects are for the acquisition and demolition of repetitively flooded structures insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Wisconsin Emergency Management administers the HMGP and makes grants available to state and local governments as well as eligible private, non-profit organizations and Indian tribes to implement cost-effective and long-term mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration. The amount of funding made available is a percentage of total disaster costs and therefore will vary with each disaster. A project does not have to be in a declared county to be eligible for HMGP funding. Therefore, every community that is vulnerable to natural hazards should consider applying for HMGP funds.
In order to receive HMGP funds, the community must be participating and in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Under the terms of the program, eligible projects must be environmentally sound, cost-effective, solve a problem and prevent future disaster damages. Projects can protect either public or private property. Successful projects receive 75% federal funding with 12.5% state funding. The applicant is responsible for 12.5% of the project costs.
Beginning November 1 2004, communities and Indian tribal governments will be required to have an approved all hazards mitigation plan to be eligible for HMGP grant funds.
Repetitive Flood Claims Program
The Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC) grant program assists states and communities in reducing flood damages to insured properties that have one or more claims to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The RFC grant program can assist in the acquisition of properties, and either demolition or relocation of flood-prone structures, where the property is deed restricted for open space uses in perpetuity; elevations; dry floodproofing of non-residential structures; or minor localized flood control projects.
FEMA may contribute up to 100% of the total amount approved under the RFC grant award to implement an approved project, if the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed activities can not be funded under the FMA program due to lack of state or local capacity, which includes either the inability to manage the subgrant or lack of the 25% match.
Severe Repetitive Loss Program
The Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) grant program provides funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to SRL structures insured under the NFIP. An SRL property is defined as a residential property that is covered under an NFIP flood insurance policy and (1) has at least four NFIP claims payments over $5,000 each, and the cumulative amount of such claims payments exceed $20,000 (2) or has at least two separate claims payments that have been made with the cumulative amount of the building portion of such claims exceeding the market value of the building. In addition, at least two of the referenced claims must have occurred within any ten-year period, and must be greater than 10 days apart.
Eligible activities include acquisition and relocation of at-risk structures and conversion of the property to open space; elevation of existing structures to at least the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or higher; minor physical localized flood reduction projects; or dry floodproofing of historic properties. Successful projects receive 90% federal funding (10% local match) with a state or tribal FEMA-approved Standard or Enhanced Mitigation Plan that includes a strategy for mitigating existing and future SRL properties.
NFIP: Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Coverage
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage is an additional way to help recover a building structure after a flood. If eligible, a homeowner or community can collect up to $30,000 for the cost to assist in the mitigation actions that can help reduce future damages. Click here to find out more about the program.
Some additional resources for ICC coverage include:
ICC Coverage: Guidance for State and Local Officials FEMA 301 (exerpts):
ICC: How You Can Benefit (brochure)
ICC Coverage: Creating a Safer Future (brochure)
ICC Coverage: The NFIP: Building Smarter and Safer
ICC: Your Flood Insurance Policy Can Help You Rebuild
e-Watermark Publication: When Property is Substantially Damaged
ICC: Insurance Adjuster's Manual
ICC: Proof of Loss Form FEMA 554
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