Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants are provided to Washington State jurisdictions and tribal governments to reduce the effects of natural hazards and mitigate vulnerability to future disaster damage.
Announcements
April 4: FEMA Press Release on the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
July 16: Washington state sues Trump administration (Attorney General Press Release)
- What is Hazard Mitigation?
- Who Can Apply?
- Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Requirements
- Washington State Mitigation Priorities
- Contact the WA Mitigation Team
- Resources
There are no open FEMA mitigation funding rounds.
What is Hazard Mitigation?
Hazard mitigation is any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. This definition distinguishes actions that have a long-term impact from those that are more closely associated with immediate preparedness, response and recovery activities. Hazard mitigation is the only phase of emergency management specifically dedicated to breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Overall natural hazard mitigation has a $6 return for every $1 spent.
Mitigation activities
1. Capability and Capacity Building activities (C&CB) to include:
Developing new Hazard Mitigation Plans or Plan Updates | Other hazard mitigation planning activities | Advance Assistance or Scoping |
Developing Partnerships | Developing, adopting, and evaluating codes and standards | Enhancing and enforcement of codes and standards |
2. Hazard Mitigation Construction Projects to include:
Property Acquisition | Mitigation Reconstruction | Structure Elevation |
Stabilization | Flood Risk Reduction | Floodproofing |
Tsunami Vertical Evacuation | Wildfire Mitigation | Structural Retrofits |
Secondary Power Source | Warning Systems | Aquifer Recharge, Storage, and Recovery |
Innovative Projects | Structure Demolition | Structure Relocation |
3. Management Costs associated with the administration of a FEMA HMA grant
Who can apply?
State, local and federally recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply for FEMA mitigation grants as a sub-applicant to the Washington state’s application. In some cases, private, non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply as sub-applicants. Eligible entities may apply on behalf of individuals, businesses and private non-profit organizations. Tribal governments may also elect to apply as an applicant, separate from Washington.
Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Requirements
Mitigation planning is a pre-requisite for FEMA mitigation grant funding. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and HMGP-Post Fire programs require that government agencies have a FEMA-approved mitigation plan at the time of grant assistance obligation. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) applicants must have a plan at the time of the Federal application deadline and at time of obligation.
Private, non-profits are not required to have a plan but a local jurisdiction who does have an approved plan must apply on their behalf.
Agencies without a plan may apply for funding to create a plan.
Check this link to find out about your plan status. You can also contact Washington State’s Hazard Analysis and Planning (HARP) Supervisor Kevin Zerbe at kevin.zerbe@mil.wa.gov.
Washington State Mitigation Priorities
Washington state prioritizes geologic and climate hazards, especially flooding, fire, earthquake, tsunami and extreme weather events.
Contact the WA Mitigation team
For any general questions, or if you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact HMA@mil.wa.gov.
Resources
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide 2024 Edition (PDF)
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide 2023 Edition (PDF)
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance - 2015 Edition (PDF)
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance - 2015 Addendum (PDF)
- 2023 Washington State Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF)
- Benefit Cost Analysis
- 2023 HMA Mitigation Action Portfolio (PDF)
- 2017 Innovative Drought and Flood Mitigation Projects (PDF)
- 2022 Mitigating the Risk of Extreme Temperatures with HMA Funds (PDF)
- FEMA’s Eligibility of Generators as a Fundable Project (PDF)