The Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program provides grant funding for communities looking to protect against losses from disasters, and in advance of disasters. The HMA Division’s vision is to be a driver for resilience through partnerships and mitigation investments with states, tribes, territories and local governments. The program’s mission is to design, build and nurture high-performing teams that promote and deliver risk reduction programs.
Primary Funding Programs
Several of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs have funding opportunities offered through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Flood Mitigation Assistance funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.
The Swift Current effort provides funding to mitigate buildings insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) after a major disaster declaration following a flood-related disaster event to reduce risk against future flood damage.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities. This grant funding is available after a presidentially declared disaster.
Wildfires can destroy homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources, and agriculture. They can also increase secondary hazards and leave areas prone to floods, erosion, and mudflows for many years. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) has Post Fire assistance available to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters.
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant program makes federal funds available to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to plan for and implement sustainable cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from future natural hazards, while also reducing reliance on federal funding from future disasters. The program is authorized by Section 203 of the Stafford Act.
The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program is authorized under Section 205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories and the District of Columbia to establish revolving loan funds that provide hazard mitigation assistance for local governments to reduce risks from natural hazards.
National Dam Safety Program
Dams play a vital role in the nation’s overall infrastructure. They contribute to the economic development of the United States and to the social welfare of the American public.
Grant assistance to states provides vital support for the improvement of state dam safety programs that regulate most of the 94,000 dams in the United States. FEMA has two annual funding opportunities.
The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program provides funds for non-federal governments and nonprofits for the technical expertise, planning, design, and construction needed to rehabilitate eligible, non-federal high hazard potential dams.
The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect human life and property.
Tools and Resources to Learn about HMA
The Hazard Mitigation Year in Review is the HMA Division’s signature annual report which provides an overview of all FEMA’s portfolio of HMA grant programs, funding and case studies.
Find policy and guidance to help interpret federal statutes, laws and regulations.
The HMA Guide provides helpful information for prospective applicants and subapplicants from state, local, tribal and territorial governments on the application and grant processes for four hazard mitigation grant programs.
The FEMA Mitigation Action Portfolio includes examples of innovative mitigation projects that address various natural hazards. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between governments, private sector entities, and non-governmental organizations to achieve effective hazard mitigation and disaster resilience.
Loss Avoidance Studies (LAS) quantify the losses avoided (also known as damage prevented or benefits) due to the implementation of the projects.
The Hazard Mitigation Assistance External Stakeholder Working Group provides an opportunity for FEMA staff to catalyze community partnerships to promote sustained and equitable investments in risk reduction.
Information is available to help applicants and subapplicants throughout the process of applying for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants.