Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), established under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, is designed to support state and local governments in reducing long-term risks to human life and property from natural hazards. Within the State of Georgia, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) administers the HMGP in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which retains authority for final funding decisions. The HMGP facilitates the implementation of hazard mitigation measures identified in state and local mitigation plans during disaster recovery periods. The purpose of HMGP is to encourage proactive hazard mitigation strategies in communities recovering from federally declared disasters. Georgia's Enhanced Plan status allows it to receive 20% of the total estimated disaster assistance, a notable increase over the 15% allocation for states without this status. This enhanced funding capacity enables broader and more impactful mitigation initiatives statewide. Eligible projects must aim to provide long-term, cost-effective solutions to reduce or eliminate risk from future hazard events, with examples including retrofitting structures, storm drainage upgrades, and acquisition or relocation of vulnerable properties. The program requires a federal share of up to 75% of the total project cost. The remaining 25% non-federal cost share may be satisfied through various sources, including cash, other grants like Community Development Block Grants, or in-kind contributions. This cost-sharing structure ensures both federal investment and local commitment. The state-level application process begins with submission of a pre-application, which must align with pre-defined project types listed on GEMA/HS’s HMGP Pre-Applications page. GEMA/HS staff provide technical assistance during project identification and application preparation. To be eligible for HMGP funding, applicants must be state or local government entities or certain private non-profit organizations that deliver essential public services. Each applicant must possess a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan that supports the proposed project and provide a letter of support from the local County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director. Eligible projects must also meet several criteria, such as compliance with environmental and floodplain regulations, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with state hazard mitigation strategies. Only communities in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may receive funding. Currently, GEMA/HS accepts HMGP pre-applications on a rolling basis, with a specific deadline of March 15, 2026, for applications related to Hurricane Helene. Two webinars, intended to assist applicants, are scheduled for January 20 and 27, 2026. Applications undergo review and prioritization by GEMA/HS before submission to FEMA, which determines funding awards. Projects that merely identify hazards without implementing corrective measures are not eligible for funding. For additional information or technical assistance, interested applicants can contact GEMA/HS at (404) 635-7522 or via email at [email protected]. General inquiries can also be directed to the agency's headquarters in Atlanta. Additional program information is available at FEMA’s official HMGP page: http://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.