FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

Quick Facts

• Focus: Funds mitigation planning and construction projects such as elevating homes, floodproofing critical infrastructure, or acquiring repetitive-loss properties for demolition.
• Who applies: States, territories, federally recognized tribes, and local governments apply on behalf of property owners. Individuals cannot apply directly but can be subapplicants through their community.
• Funding levels: FEMA can cover 75% of eligible costs; severe repetitive loss (SRL) properties receive up to 100%. Community flood mitigation projects can secure up to $50 million each.
• Complementary programs: Works alongside Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding.
• Best first step: Contact your local floodplain administrator or emergency management agency to join the next application cycle.

Why It Matters

Floods are the most frequent U.S. disaster, and insurance claims continue to rise. While FindMyMoney highlights disaster relief and hazard mitigation, it lacked a detailed roadmap for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program—a go-to funding stream for elevating homes and protecting infrastructure. Including it helps residents and officials time their projects, gather documentation, and tap technical assistance before storms strike.

Eligibility and Prioritization

1. NFIP participation: Only jurisdictions that participate in the NFIP and maintain good standing can apply. Properties must carry NFIP policies at the time of application and grant closeout.
2. Repetitive loss focus: FEMA prioritizes severe repetitive loss and repetitive loss structures, especially those with high claim payouts.
3. Mitigation plan alignment: Projects must appear in the jurisdiction’s FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan and demonstrate cost-effectiveness (benefit-cost ratio ≥ 1.0).
4. Environmental compliance: Projects undergo environmental and historic preservation reviews; early coordination avoids delays.

Application Timeline

1. Summer: Communities identify candidate properties or infrastructure projects, conduct benefit-cost analyses (BCAs), and gather elevation certificates and insurance data.
2. Fall: FEMA opens the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). States announce subapplication deadlines (often 30–60 days before FEMA’s deadline).
3. Winter: States submit consolidated applications via FEMA’s Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal.
4. Spring/Summer: FEMA reviews submissions, issues Requests for Information (RFIs), and announces awards. Projects then move into scoping, design, and construction.

Steps for Property Owners

• Engage early: Talk to your local floodplain administrator or mitigation planner months before the NOFO. Provide proof of NFIP coverage, loss history, and photos of damages.
• Gather documentation: Elevation certificates, structural assessments, contractor estimates, and proof of ownership are critical.
• Understand cost share: Be prepared to cover 25% of project costs unless your property qualifies for SRL or Repetitive Loss (RL) status. Some states offer matching funds or CDBG-DR dollars to fill the gap.
• Stay insured: Maintain NFIP coverage throughout the project; lapses can disqualify you.

Strategies for Local Governments

• Build a pipeline: Maintain a rolling list of interested property owners, infrastructure priorities, and preliminary BCAs to respond quickly when the NOFO drops.
• Leverage technical assistance: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) helpline and state mitigation offices offer free BCA training and environmental review guidance.
• Bundle projects: Combining multiple structures into a single subapplication can reduce administrative costs and strengthen cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate with utilities: For pump stations and critical infrastructure, partner with public works and water authorities to document risk and co-benefits.
• Track equity metrics: Highlight benefits to disadvantaged communities, essential workers, or critical facilities to align with FEMA’s Justice40 commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can FMA fund new levees? Typically no; the program targets property-level mitigation. However, community flood mitigation projects can include localized flood control improvements that protect NFIP-insured structures.

How long do projects take? Elevation or acquisition projects often take 2–4 years from award to completion due to design, permitting, and construction timelines.

What happens after acquisition? Properties acquired with FMA funds must remain open space in perpetuity; communities can convert them into parks, trails, or stormwater features.

Insider Tips to Win FMA Grants

• Run BCAs using FEMA’s Benefit-Cost Toolkit and include sensitivity analyses to address data gaps.
• Secure letters of commitment for non-federal match before submitting; FEMA wants evidence the community can deliver.
• Align applications with other resilience investments—green infrastructure, home elevation pilot programs, or microgrids—to demonstrate layered benefits.
• Document past flood events with photos, news articles, and insurance claim summaries to underscore urgency.
• After award, hold kickoff meetings with property owners to set expectations for relocation, construction timelines, and reimbursement paperwork.