Assistance Listings

Flood Mitigation Assistance

Objectives

Objectives The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, Federally Recognized Tribal governments, and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It does so with a recognition of the growing flood hazards associated with climate change, and of the need for flood hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation, equity, and resilience with respect to flooding. These include both acute extreme weather events and chronic stressors which have been observed and are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in the future. From Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 to FY 2019, FMA obligated over $1.5 billion in federal share mitigating over 8,000 properties insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. Performance Measures The following key performance indicators provide strategic and relevant information to decisionmakers and stakeholders about FMA’s progress and success toward achieving goals and objectives, and are based on measurable data that are available or could be feasibly collected: • Total number of NFIP-insured properties selected that are FMA and/or NFIP defined Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL), Repetitive Loss (RL), and Substantially Damaged. • Total federal cost share funding invested in Justice40 Communities identified using version 1.0 of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). • Total dollar amount of flood losses avoided in projects or communities funded by FMA subapplications. FEMA will further assess the recipient’s performance against the program objective during the award closeout process as outlined in Section F.3.c of this funding opportunity. Goals The FMA program aligns with the 2020-2024 DHS Strategic Plan through pursuing Goal 5: Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience. Specifically, Objective 5.1: Build a National Culture of Preparedness has several sub-objectives that the FMA program supports. FMA serves primarily to bolster Sub-Objective 5.1.1: Incentivize investments that reduce risk and increase pre-disaster mitigation, including expanding the use of insurance to manage risk through funding flood mitigation projects. The FMA program addresses Presidential Policy Directive 21, Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience. FMA also supports the National Mitigation Investment Strategy and the FIMA FY 2021-2023 Mitigation Strategy by advancing mitigation investment to reduce risks posed by natural hazards and increasing the nation’s resilience to natural hazards. Awards made under this NOFO will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, which will grow a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable economy by enhancing U.S. competitiveness, driving the creation of quality jobs, and ensuring stronger access to economic and environmental benefits for disadvantaged communities. The BIL appropriates billions of dollars to FEMA to promote resilient infrastructure, respond to the impacts of climate change, and equip our nation with the resources to combat its most pressing threats. Objectives FMA aims to implement projects that reduce flood risks posed to repetitively flooded properties insured under the NFIP. The FMA program also aims to promote equity in the delivery of funds in line with the Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, established by Executive Order (EO) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which has made it the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. In implementing the Justice40 Initiative, the FMA program is prioritizing assistance that benefits disadvantaged communities as referenced in EO 14008 and subsequent guidance. FMA funds are sourced from congressionally appropriated funding from the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFIF) as well as funding made available for FY 23 Flood Mitigation Assistance via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The BIL funding allows increased federal cost share for a property: located within a census tract with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index score of not less than 0.5001. (Refer to Section C.4, Cost Share or Match).

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

From Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 to FY 2019, FMA obligated over $1.5 billion in federal share mitigating over 8,000 properties insured by the NFIP. The smallest award submitted for FY22 was $25,000. The largest award submitted for FY22 was $50,000,000.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

70-0701-0-1-453

Types of Assistance

B - Project Grants

Credentials and Documentation

Documentation required will be outlined in other program implementation material and included in the Notices of Funding Opportunity Opportunities (NOFO) posted on www.Grants.gov 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Each state, territory, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized tribal government shall designate one agency to serve as the applicant for FMA funding. The designee is strongly encouraged to conduct outreach with disadvantaged communities as referenced in EO 14008 prior to and during the application process. Each applicant’s designated agency may submit only one FMA grant application to FEMA. Subapplications under which two or more entities would carry out the award are eligible, such as a multi-state or multi-tribal initiative; however, only one entity may be the applicant with primary responsibility for carrying out the award. Communities, including local governments, cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and tribal governments (including federally recognized tribes who choose to apply as subapplicants), are considered subapplicants and must submit subapplications to their state/territory/tribal applicant agency. Certain political subdivisions (for example, regional flood control districts or county governments) may apply and act as subapplicants if they are part of a community participating in the NFIP where the political subdivision provides zoning and building code enforcement or planning and community development professional services for that community. Contact information for the State Hazard Mitigation Officers (SHMOs) is provided on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts. Eligibility Criteria • All applicants and subapplicants must be participating in the NFIP, and not be withdrawn, on probation, or suspended. NFIP community status can be verified at https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insuranceprogram-community-status-book. • Structures identified in the subapplication must have an NFIP policy (including a Group Flood Insurance Policy [GFIP]) in effect prior to the opening of the application period and the policy must be maintained throughout the life of the structure. The requirement of maintaining flood insurance shall apply during the life of the property, regardless of transfer of ownership of such property. If the subapplicant does not comply with this requirement, FEMA may take one or more actions as remedies for noncompliance, as appropriate. This could include disallowing all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance. For additional details, see 2 C.F.R. § 200.339. • Applicants are required to have a FEMA-approved State or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of the award. More detailed information is provided in Part III, E.5, Hazard Mitigation Plan Requirement, of the HMA Guidance, available on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/103279. • Subapplicants are required to have a FEMA-approved Local or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with 44 C.F.R. Part 201 by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of grant funds for Capability and Capacity Building activities, Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project, and Individual Flood Mitigation Project subapplications. Mitigation planning subapplications are exempt from the hazard mitigation plan requirement for subapplicants only. Mitigation plan integration, while not required to be eligible for FMA, is encouraged. Local hazard mitigation plans must conform to the Local Plan Review Guide, or any subsequent local mitigation planning guide that supersedes it. • To be considered for financial assistance, all applicants must submit their FY 2023 FMA grant applications to FEMA via FEMA GO. Refer to the NOFO posted on www.Grants.gov for information on eligibility criteria.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Each state, territory, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized tribal government shall designate one agency to serve as the applicant for FMA funding. The designee is strongly encouraged to conduct outreach with disadvantaged communities as referenced in EO 14008 prior to and during the application process. Each applicant’s designated agency may submit only one FMA grant application to FEMA. Subapplications under which two or more entities would carry out the award are eligible, such as a multi-state or multi-tribal initiative; however, only one entity may be the applicant with primary responsibility for carrying out the award. Communities, including local governments, cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and tribal governments (including federally recognized tribes who choose to apply as subapplicants), are considered subapplicants and must submit subapplications to their state/territory/tribal applicant agency. Certain political subdivisions (for example, regional flood control districts or county governments) may apply and act as subapplicants if they are part of a community participating in the NFIP where the political subdivision provides zoning and building code enforcement or planning and community development professional services for that community. Contact information for the State Hazard Mitigation Officers (SHMOs) is provided on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts. Refer to the NOFO posted on www.Grants.gov for information.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Please refer to the Notices of Funding Opportunities posted on www.Grants.gov. Assistance will be awarded or released dependent on the selected project and based on project need. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payment based on Project need.

Use of Assistance

Civil Defense/Disaster Prevention and Relief/Emergency Preparedness Flood mitigation projects to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are eligible for the FMA program. Eligible project types include: acquisition-demolition and acquisition-relocation; elevation of existing structures to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or an Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) or higher; minor localized flood risk reduction projects; and dry-flood proofing (historic properties and non-residential structures). FMA funds can only be used for the flood hazard component of a hazard mitigation plan that meets the planning criteria outlined in 44 CFR Part 201. See also 44 CFR 79.6(b),(d)(1). Individual planning grants using FMA funds shall not exceed $50,000 to any applicant or $25,000 to any subapplicant. Projects must meet all eligibility criteria including technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness; compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations which include Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Directive & Instruction (FEMA Directive 108-1& Instruction 108--1-1) and other program requirements. Please see the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance posted on http://www.fema.gov and refer to the NOFO posted on www.Grants.gov for information. Projects must meet all eligibility criteria including technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness; compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations which include Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Directive & Instruction (FEMA Directive 108-1& Instruction 108--1-1) and other program requirements. Please see the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program guidance on the FEMA website for detailed information: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/103279.Projects must meet all eligibility criteria including technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness; compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations which include Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Directive & Instruction (FEMA Directive 108-1& Instruction 108--1-1) and other program requirements. Please see the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program guidance on the FEMA website for detailed information: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/103279.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Applicants and subapplicants applying for hazard mitigation projects (Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project and/or Individual Flood Mitigation Project) must provide information needed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)§§ 4321–4370h) and the related DHS and FEMA instructions and directives (i.e., DHS Directive 023-01, DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, FEMA Directive 108-1, and FEMA Instruction 108-1-1, which can be accessed at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/laws/ehp-directive-instruction). Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

All applicants must submit an FMA grant application via FEMA GO by the application deadline to be considered for funding. The required format for applications and subapplications is built into FEMA GO: • FMA applications including Capability and Capacity Building Activities (Mitigation Plan Development under 42 U.S.C. 4104c(c)(3)(F), Technical Assistance by States to communities (42 U.S.C. 4104c(c)(3)(J)), Project Scoping, Additional Capability and Capacity Building Activities (including Partnership Development to Conduct Eligible Mitigation Activities, Enhancing Local Floodplain Management, SRL/RL Strategy Development, and other eligible Capability and Capacity Building Activities under 42 U.S.C. 4104c(c)(3)(G)), Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project, Individual Flood Mitigation Project, and Management Costs subapplications must be submitted in an FY 2023 FMA application. o Mitigation Plan Development activities must be submitted in a plan subapplication type. o Project Scoping activities must be submitted in a project scoping application type. o Technical Assistance by States to communities (42 U.S.C. 4104c(c)(3)(J) must be submitted in a technical assistance subapplication. o Additional Capability and Capacity Building Activities must be submitted in a technical assistance subapplication. o Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project and Individual Flood Mitigation Project must be submitted in a project subapplication. • Applicant Management Costs must be submitted in a management costs subapplication.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.Grants.gov for information on criteria for selecting proposals.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed by DHS/FEMA program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued. Applicants are responsible for distributing funds to sub-applicants. Upon award the Applicant is subsequently referred to as the Recipient. Recipients are responsible for distributing funds to subrecipients. For more information view the Notices of Funding Opportunities posted on www.Grants.gov

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

Please see the NOFO Announcement posted on www.Grants.gov.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

From 30 to 60 days. At its discretion, and at the request of the applicant or subapplicant (through the applicant), FEMA may reconsider a decision regarding any subapplication that is Not Selected or Does Not Meet HMA Requirements only where there is an indication of substantive technical or procedural error that may have influenced FEMA’s decision. There will be no reconsideration regarding the amount of planning subapplications, applicant management costs, or Technical Assistance costs. Applicants must send requests for reconsideration based on technical or procedural error to the FEMA Regional Office within 60 days of the posting of subapplication status. Subapplicants should contact their applicant agency regarding reconsideration requests, so that the applicant may submit it to the FEMA Regional Office on their behalf. Contact information for each State Hazard Mitigation Officer is provided at State Hazard Mitigation Officers | FEMA.gov.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-federal entity records pertinent to a federal award generally must be maintained for at least three years from the date the final FFR is submitted. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.334. Further, if the recipient does not submit a final FFR and the award is administratively closed, FEMA uses the date of administrative closeout as the start of the general record retention period. The record retention period may be longer than three years or have a different start date in certain cases. Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunities posted on www.Grants.gov.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide | FEMA.gov

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: