Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grant Programs

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program is an annual nationally competitive funding source for disaster mitigation projects that typically opens up for applications in late September and has an application deadline of late December.

FEMA will establish the application deadline for states to submit their application. Submitting a Notice of Intent at an earlier time could be advantageous as more time is allowed for HSEM to provide application development and technical assistance. HSEM is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA.

Resources for BRIC

FEMA has developed resources to assist sub-applicants with project and planning sub-applications. Tools for the BRIC program can be found in the links below:

• HMA Application Development and Process
• FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance
• FEMA’s Program Support Materials
• FEMA’s BRIC Mitigation Action Portfolio

Capabilities & Capacity Building (C&CB)

The Notice of Intent deadline also applies for potential sub-applicants for the state set-aside funding available for C&CB projects and plans under the BRIC NOFO (FY22 NOFO for reference). C&CB activities must result in a resource, strategy, or tangible mitigation product that will reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future natural hazards, increase resiliency, and promote a culture of preparedness. Read the brief C&CB support material for a list of eligible project scoping activities. The map below shows last year’s C&CB submissions with the selected proposals as green stars.

BRIC program FEMA Guidance and additional resources

Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) Ratings & BRIC

The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) assesses community building codes and their enforcement, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards.  It is an independent assessment that results in a rating score of 1 (best) to 10, based on 2018 or newer versions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC).

The BCEGS rating score is one of the criteria in the Technical Evaluation of applications and can account for a significant portion of the technical score.  To receive the point allotment for this criterion, a subapplicant at the local level (including those located in territories) must have a BCEGS rating between 1 and 5 (considered by FEMA as a disaster-resistant code) when the application is submitted.

For additional information about BCEGS and how your BCEGS rating, or lack thereof, can impact your application scoring and potential to obtain funding under the BRIC programs please see the links below.

• HSEM BCEGS FAQs
• HSEM presentation – Participating in the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) – Part 1  (YouTube)
• HSEM presentation – Participating in the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) – Part 2  (YouTube)
• ISO -Mitigation Building Code Effectiveness Grading Scale (BCEGS) Website

BUILD AMERICA BUY AMERICA ACT (BABAA)

As part of President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, beginning with awards received on or after May 14, 2022, any infrastructure project receiving federal funding must source their iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials from the United States. BABAA DOES apply to non-disaster grants (BRIC, FMA, PDM, EMPG, HSGP, others). BABAA DOES NOT apply to disaster grants (HMGP, PA).

For more information pertaining to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) in relation to Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs please see:

• Build America, Buy America Act FAQs
• HSEM BABAA Briefing
• FEMA’s “Buy America” Preference in FEMA Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure

• DR-4732 application is OPEN & accepting NOIs. Deadline: June 30, 2024.
• HMGP Applicant Briefing (YouTube)

Please follow the directions under HMA Grant Programs - Applying for Funding for directions on registering in EMGrantsPro and submitting an NOI.

Purpose

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during the recovery phase of a natural disaster. States receive HMGP funding when a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been made.

Purpose

The Flood Mitigation Assistance program was created to assist States and communities in implementing measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There are three types of FMA grants available to states and communities:

• Planning Grants to prepare flood mitigation plans;
• Project Grants to implement measures to reduce flood losses, such as elevation, acquisition, or relocation of NFIP-insured structures; and
• Management Cost Grants for the State to help administer the FMA program and activities

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is an annual nationally competitive program that provides an opportunity for communities to initiate projects that provide mitigation of damages to NFIP insured structures. Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss properties are prioritized for funding.

FEMA will establish the application deadline for states to submit their application. Submitting a Notice of Intent at an earlier time could be advantageous as more time is allowed for HSEM to provide application development and technical assistance. HSEM is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA.

FMA Program–FEMA Guidance and Additional Resources

HSEM is exploring the possibility of establishing a revolving loan fund to finance hazard mitigation projects. This state fund would be established under a national STRLF program  established by FEMA, authorized by Congress in the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act. We intend to submit an application to FEMA for a capitalization grant (at least $5.1 million) to establish the fund. As part of this application, we have published a call for proposals and a draft intended use plan (IUP) for public comment. Please see the documents below for more information on the program, and submit project ideas using the Project Proposal List spreadsheet.

• Iowa Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund – Intended Use Plan FFY 2024-2025
• Iowa Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund – Call for Project Proposals
• Iowa Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund – Project Proposal List FFY 2025 

In the course of executing your disaster recovery grant, you may encounter previously unknown cultural/historic artifacts. The Office of the State Archaeologist should be contacted if any archaeological deposits (artifacts) are exposed so that they can be investigated and the extent of the site determined.

Additionally, HSEM and the State Historic Preservation Office must be informed to take proper action. In accordance with the Code of Iowa 263B, if human remains are unintentionally exposed, you must cease work immediately, secure the area, and contact local law enforcement and/or the county medical examiner. If the remains are determined to be ancient (greater than 150 years old), the Office of the State Archaeologist’s Bioarchaeology Program must also be notified.

See more information on Historic Preservation.

• FY2024 FMA Swift Current NOFO (Swift Current - Property Acquisitions)

Acquisition Projects: Forms And Resources

In the course of administering a hazard mitigation acquisition project, the following forms and resources will facilitate a smooth process for property owners and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Start Up:

• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance and Guidance Addendum
• IDNR Environmental Review Link
• Property Owner Affidavit

Procurement:

• Procurement and Contract Checklist
• Federal Contract Provisions

Acquisition and Demolition:

• Statement of Voluntary Transaction
• Acquisition Source Document Checklist
• Tenant Relocation Worksheet
• Replacement Housing Benefit Worksheet
• Pre-Acquisition Demolition Checklist
• Assignment of Coverage D Form
• Model Deed Restriction
• IDNR Demolition Notification Link 
• Demo Monitoring Guide
• Project Scope Change Request Form

Close Out:

• AW501 Form, Instructions, & Transmittal Sheet
• Close Out Request Letter Template

Safe Rooms

• Design & Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms (FEMA website)

Hazard mitigation funding for the construction of tornado safe rooms in Iowa is limited to structures which serve a local governmental entity and are available to the public.  There are no provisions under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to fund residential safe rooms directly to individuals.

To assist residents with Individual Safe Room criteria, please consult the FEMA 320 Shelter from the Storm: Building or Installing a Safe Room for Your Home. This document outlines the specifications for the construction of a residential tornado safe room.

Acquisitions/Elevations/Relocation

• Property Acquisition Loss Avoidance Report 2010

Support Materials for Emergency Management Partners

• FEMA Application Support Materials