USA: Hazard mitigation grant program helps protect against future disaster

Release Number: 4057-049

Frankfort, Ky. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to states, local governments and certain private nonprofits to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters.

Mitigation was approved as part of the presidential disaster declaration of March 6. All the counties in the Commonwealth are eligible for the program.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is funded by FEMA and administered by the Commonwealth.

FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. The Commonwealth, local government or private nonprofit must provide 25 percent in matching funds. Matching funds can be fashioned from a combination of cash and in-kind sources.

The program provides the Commonwealth with a grant of up to 20 percent of the total disaster funding awarded by FEMA during the recovery from the disaster. Because the Commonwealth met higher mitigation planning requirements, Kentucky receives five percent more than the standard funding.

The program enables mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.

Eligible applicants are Commonwealth, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations.

Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly to the program; however, local governments may apply on their behalf.

Five issues are considered when determining the eligibility of a proposed project:

- Does the project conform to the Commonwealth hazard mitigation plan?
- Does the project provide a beneficial impact on the disaster area, i.e. the Commonwealth?
- Does the application meet the environmental requirements? Visit the FEMA Environmental Program Site for information.
- Does the project solve a problem independently?
- Is the project cost effective?

Following a federal disaster declaration, the Commonwealth will advertise that Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is available to fund mitigation projects in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth will conduct regional Hazard Mitigation Grant briefings, which will provide detailed program information and application requirements to potential eligible applicants.

Interested state agencies, local governments, or private nonprofit organizations should refer to the Kentucky Emergency Management website for dates, times and locations of briefings.

Applications for mitigation projects should be filed as soon as possible after the disaster occurs so that opportunities for mitigation projects are not lost during reconstruction. The Commonwealth will set a deadline for application submittal.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.