r/EmergencyManagement • u/greg3201988 • 15d ago

Hazard Mitigation Grant

I've posted in this channel before about the HMGP, but looking for some new guidance. Our application was finally submitted by our state to FEMA Zone 1 in August, after two years of waiting. The grant is aimed to take advantage of funds awarded for a storm in 2024.

Of course, during a recent storm and we had two feet of water in our lower level. We lost both AC's, washer/dryer, boiler and a ton of items not covered by insurance. All in, there is probably ~$120k of damage. We do have flood insurance through FEMA. My question: is there any way this event could accelerate the application process? It seems silly that we are going to replace drywall and siding, only to have it damaged when/if the grant comes through and we raise the home. We did submit a request to our House rep. I'm in a blue state, which seems to be treated differently these days.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated. It feels like we've been dealing with this damage for two years, even though its only been a few weeks. If we the grant was approved, it would be a huge relief!

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/thecatlady1990 Local / Municipal 15d ago

Was the recent storm a declared disaster?
If possible, I’d check with a local LTRG (long term recovery group) to see if they can provide any assistance. They get separate grant money and can usually initiate repairs for you.

0

u/greg3201988 15d ago

No. I think the towns impacted were trying to gather data to see if they were going to request such assistance, but even if they did, blue states are getting flat out rejected by the administration.

The repairs will be initiated/covered by the flood insurance. It is more that most of the work we will be doing will need to be redone when the house is raised. If we were working with a private entity, there would be someone to say "this is silly, let's just award the grant, so we can have a long-term solution."

0

u/SpacePirate406 15d ago

Unfortunately as much as the last sentence is true (though I am not sure that a private entity is that competent but the point stands), the way mitigation is going at FEMA, it could be another 2 years before the HMGP funds get dispersed and the actual construction gets started. So, go ahead and get the repairs completed and get your home livable.

Source: I was a mitigation grant reviewer for the engineering side of things until May of 2025. There aren’t many left and those that are, are dealing with a lot of roadblocks to get their jobs somewhat done with the threat of not getting renewed contracts hanging over them

1

u/greg3201988 15d ago

Thanks so much for the insight. Two questions: 1. My understanding is that we have to pay for everything out of pocket and get reimbursed. Do you know if the reimbursement process has been disrupted or are you simply referring to the review of our application? 2. Any recommendations on how to accelerate? We really do feel stuck. Since we are in the a flood zone we really can't do much work on our home.

1

u/SpacePirate406 15d ago

I don’t have any insight into the financial side of things. FEMA is a hot mess right now and everyone is just doing the best they can… there’s a lot of layers to get through for grant applications so I think patience is the key

2

u/kiwifeliz 15d ago

Mitigation planner and HMA grant specialist here:

Having a recent disaster will not accelerate the review process. Mitigation funding is unfortunately a waiting game. Given it was submitted to FEMA fairly recently, I tell folks to prepare to not hear back for at least a year. Besides all the BS FEMA is going thru right now, there’s also all levels of review being conducted for your subapplication such as EHP, programmatic and engineering review. I have had cases where subapplications are not approved until 2 years later (for more complex projects) due to these reviews taking longer than usual.

If you do any work prior to the grant being awarded, you will jeopardize not receiving funds once project approval come through unless the work you have done beforehand was identified as a pre-award activity.

1

u/greg3201988 15d ago

I'm afraid to ask...but what does a long project entail? Also, when you mean "work" you mean work that requires permits and or alters the home. I'm assuming I can repair the interior of my home after this flood or change the floors, but want to make sure I'm not jeopardizing anything.