Homeowner’s Guide to the 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 

This brochure answers some common questions homeowners have about 

implementing post-disaster projects that reduce future damage to their home. 

What is hazard mitigation? 

Hazard mitigation is any action taken to 

reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people 

and property from natural hazards and 

their effects. 

What types of projects are 

available for consideration 

for FEMA funding? 

Mitigation projects include: 

• Acquisition and Structure 


Demolition/Relocation – The 


community buys, with FEMA 


funding, the property from the 


homeowner and demolishes or 


relocates any structures on the 


property.
 

• Elevation – The home is raised 


so potential floodwaters may flow 


underneath the home.
 

• Mitigation Reconstruction –

The existing home is demolished and a

new, elevated home is constructed.

• Dry Floodproofing of Historic

Residential Structures – The home is

protected with barriers to prevent flood

water from entering.

• Structural Retrofitting of Existing

Buildings – Enhancements are made

to a home to make it more resistant to

flood, wind, earthquakes, and/or fire.

• Residential Safe Room – A safe room

is constructed inside or close to the

home to provide safety from strong

winds, such as those experienced

during a tornado.

• Wildfire Mitigation – Fire resistant

materials are used on the exterior of

the home and trees or brush are cleared

to remove flammable materials from

around the home.

• Wind Retrofit – Enhancements are

made to strengthen the roof, walls,

doors, and windows and minimize

damage caused by high winds.

Does FEMA offer any 

financial assistance 

for hazard mitigation 

projects? 

The Federal Emergency Management 

Agency ’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation 

Grant Program (HMGP) helps 

communities implement hazard 

mitigation measures following 

a Presidential major disaster 

declaration. The objective is to 

support cost -effective measures 

during recovery that will reduce the 

risk of physical and social impacts 

from future disasters. 

Who can apply for 

HMGP funding? 

Generally, local communities 

sponsor applications on behalf of 

homeowners and apply to the State. 

Because funds are limited, only 

projects that meet local and state 

priorities are forwarded to FEMA. 

Homeowners cannot apply directly 

for HMGP funding. Below is a list of 

governments and organizations that 

can sponsor an application: 

• States

• Territories

• Federally -recognized tribes 

• Local communities

• Private non -profit organizations
 

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What is the process of applying for HMGP? 

HMGP funding may be available after a Presidential major disaster 

declaration. The funding amount is calculated from a percentage 

of the overall disaster damage (refer to the Hazard Mitigation 

Assistance Guidance for more information). 

States, territories, or federally recognized tribal governments 

administer the program and prioritize projects. Because 

HMGP funding is limited, they must make difficult decisions 

as to the most effective use of grant funds. After reviewing 

project applications to determine if they meet the program s 

requirements, the states, territories, or federally recognized tribal 

governments forward the applications to FEMA for review 

and approval. 

FEMA awards the HMGP funds to the Applicant, which disburses 

those funds to its subapplicants, generally the local governments 

are responsible for implementing the project and are required to 

meet all federal, state and local procurement procedures as well 

as meet codes and standards. 

Homeowners may start their projects once notified by their local/ 

tribal/state government official. Work started prior to FEMA review 

and approval is ineligible for funding. 

Please contact your State Hazard Mitigation Officer, or federally 

recognized tribal/local government official to obtain information 

on the HMGP application process. FEMA maintains a list of State 

Hazard Mitigation Officers at 

www.fema.gov/state-hazard-mitigation-officers. 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

Project example 

House Elevation – Freeport, New York 

1. Disaster Strikes 

The President of the United States declares a disaster for the 

State or Tribal Government and federal disaster aid becomes 

available. For a list of major disaster declarations, please visit 

www.fema.gov/disasters. 

2. Research Point of Contact 

Generally, homeowners can contact their State/local emergency 

management department to find their mitigation point of contact. 

In some cases, the state/tribal/local emergency management 

department advertises information on mitigation opportunities 

through: 

• Town hall meetings 

• Local papers 

• Media outlets (radio, televisions, billboards, etc.) 

• State/local websites 

3. Research the HMGP 

Homeowners can refer to www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grantprogram for information on project types and general program 

requirements. Be sure your community wants to participate in the 

HMA program in order to submit a grant application to FEMA. 

4. Decision to Apply to the HMGP 

Applying for HMGP funding is voluntary. Homeowners must decide 

whether to apply for HMGP assistance, mitigate their homes 

using other funding sources, or not mitigate. Homeowners should 

consider all of their options and seek assistance in developing a 

plan that may include applying for HMGP funding. 

5. Application Development 

Generally, local governments develop applications. The 

applications are submitted to the state, territory, or federally 

recognized tribal government and then to FEMA. *States, territories, federally recognized tribes or local governments 

may decide not to apply for HMGP funding. In that case, 

homeowners must seek funding from other sources in order to 

implement mitigation measures to their homes. 

6. FEMA Review 

FEMA reviews the submitted applications for: eligibility, cost 

effectiveness, feasibility, and environmental laws and regulations 

that may impact the project. The applications that meet these 

program requirements may be approved based on funding 

availability. 

7. Project Implementation 

FEMA awards funds to the Applicant, which disburses the funds to 

its local governments. Homeowners may start their projects once 

notified by their state/tribal/local government official. 

8. Project Completion 

Once the project is completed, closeout begins. Closeout is a 

process by which FEMA reviews and verifies that the project meets 

all of the program s and federal grant management requirements. 

What are common Do’s and Don’ts? 

• Do contact your mitigation point of contact. Contact your 

State Hazard Mitigation Officer, federally recognized tribe, or 

local government official to obtain information on the HMGP 

application process. 

• Do consider other funding sources. The HMGP application 

process may take several months. 

• Do NOT start work until receiving notification from your state/ 

tribal/local government official. FEMA does not reimburse 

costs for work already started or completed prior to FEMA review 

and approval. This does not include basic repair work to make 

your residence habitable; rather, it includes risk reduction costs 

that would be funded by the mitigation grant. 
 

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Who pays for the project? 

Generally, FEMA pays up to 75 percent for hazard mitigation 

projects. The remaining 25 percent is the responsibility of the 

homeowner, unless the subapplicant has identified an alternative 

payment method. The state, territory, or federally-recognized tribe 

may have a different cost-sharing strategy. 

For example, if your mitigation project cost is $200,000, FEMA 

will pay 75 percent ($150,000) of the cost. The homeowner is 

responsible for the remaining 25 percent (or $50,000). 

Homeowners may receive funding assistance through: 

• Increased Cost of Compliance payments 

• Insurance payments 

• U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans 

• State, territory, federally-recognized tribe, and/or local 


government
 

• Donated resources 

What common expenses may FEMA pay for? 

Property Acquisition • Closing costs 

• Demolition 

• Real property appraisal 

• Fair market value of property 

• Rental assistance 

Elevation • Engineering services 

• New foundation 

• Elevation of structure 

• Survey and soil sampling 

• Utility connection 

Residential Safe • Construction of a new safe room 

Room • Pre-fabricated safe room and installation 

Contact Information 

Additional information on Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants: 

www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-assistance 

Find your State Hazard Mitigation Officer: 

www.fema.gov/state-hazard-mitigation-officers 

To learn more about how to mitigate your home visit: 

https://www.fema.gov/frequently-asked-questions-building-science 

HMA Helpline: 1 866 222 3580 

Example: Total Project Cost $200,000 

FEDERAL NON-FEDERAL
 

COST SHARE COST SHARE
 

$150,000 $50,000 

(75 percent) (25 percent) 

What are the benefits of the HMGP? 

There are multiple benefits of incorporating hazard 

mitigation measures into your home, including: 

• Provides risk reduction from natural hazards 

• Increases the strength of your home to withstand 


severe weather
 

• May lower insurance premiums 

• May increase property value 

Does FEMA have any other mitigation 

resources? 

FEMA has two additional Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant 

programs besides the HMGP: the Flood Mitigation Assistance 

(FMA) program and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) 

program. These competitive programs are made available 

annually with funding from Congress rather than following 

a disaster event, but they have the same common goal of 

protecting life and property. 

The FMA and PDM programs have different eligibility 

and programmatic requirements. Similar to the HMGP, 

states, territories, or federally-recognized tribal governments 

administer both of these grant programs and prioritize 

projects that support communities and homeowners. Refer to 

the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance publication for 

additional program information.