Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) – Section 404

 As the result of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds plans and projects that reduce the effects of future natural disasters. In California, these funds are administered by the Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Branch. Eligible subapplicants include state agencies, local governments, special districts, and some private non-profits. To learn more about the HMGP, visit: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance and the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance Addendum.

The HMGP funding opportunities provide support for communities to implement mitigation activities to reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards. In California, natural hazards include wildfire, earthquake, drought, extreme weather, flooding, and other natural hazards as defined in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. HMGP funding can also support the development of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMP), and project scoping activities referred to as Advanced Assistance. For eligible socially vulnerable and high hazard risk communities, the PrepareCA Initiative provides additional support for capacity building and to cover the local cost share for eligible mitigation activities.

Upcoming Webinars

California mitigation and resilience funding can be grouped as follows:

• FEMA HMGP
  • DR-4683 – 2022-2023 Early Winter Storms – preliminary estimate of ~$55 million in federal funding for eligible FEMA HMGP activities and projects.
  • DR-4699 – California Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
• PrepareCA Match – will provide up to $48 million in state funding to cover the non-federal (local) cost share for up to $144 million of federal funding for FEMA HMGP activities and projects benefiting eligible socially vulnerable and high hazard risk communities.
• PrepareCA JumpStart – $15 million in total state funding dedicated to help jumpstart eligible socially vulnerable and high hazard risk communities in their development and implementation of resilience planning and activities. Cal OES is not currently accepting applications for PrepareCA Jumpstart.

Timeline for Funding Opportunities

*Planning Subapplications submitted on or before June 10, 2023, may be submitted to FEMA on an expedited timeline. Planning subapplications will be accepted until August 4, 2023.

Application Process

HMGP Submission Process

Subapplicants interested in HMGP must submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) via the Cal OES Engage portal prior to submitting a subapplication. All NOIs must be submitted by the posted deadline. NOIs submitted after this date will be considered for the next available funding opportunity.

Cal OES will review NOIs for eligibility and then invite subapplicants with eligible projects to submit full grant subapplications, via the Cal OES Engage portal. Cal OES will review all subapplications and submit projects to FEMA in accordance with the State’s priorities. Cal OES will retain eligible subapplications that are not initially selected for submission to FEMA for future consideration when funding becomes available. FEMA will then review the submitted applications for programmatic and environmental and historic preservation (EHP) compliance prior to obligating funds.

 Eligible Subapplicants 

• State Agencies (Not eligible for PrepareCA Jumpstart) – Activities must be consistent with the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Federally Recognized Tribes – Subapplicants must have a FEMA-approved tribal hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible.
• Local Governments/Communities/Special Districts – Subapplicants must have a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) in order to be eligible.
• Private non-profit Organizations – Private non-profit Organizations are not required to have an LHMP, but the County in which they are located must meet the LHMP requirement. Private non-profit Organizations are not eligible for PrepareCA Match.

Eligible Subapplicants from all 58 counties may apply. 

Best Practices for Application Submission

1. Schedule a project scoping call by contacting Cal OES via email at HMA@caloes.ca.gov.
2. For helpful tips, FAQs, and detailed information about how to submit your NOI, please see the HMA NOI User Guide.
3. For NOI submission, when using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser, click this link to access the Cal OES Engage portal.
4. Please see the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance for full details on project eligibility and other requirements.
5. All contracts and purchases must comply with Federal procurement guidelines outlined in 2 CFR 200 to be eligible for reimbursement.

• • Pre-award costs (including the development of the subapplication) are eligible for reimbursement upon award if all procurements adhered to federal policies. This includes competitively procuring any contractor support used to develop the subapplication or plan a project.
  • In accordance with 2 CFR 200, contractors who assist with subapplication development will be ineligible to compete for further contracts on the same award.

HMGP Resource Library

Technical Assistance

Our subject matter experts are available to discuss project eligibility, benefit cost analysis, technical feasibility, EHP requirements, the application process, or other related matters. Please reach out to HMA@caloes.ca.gov with questions or to schedule a call. For Questions specific to the PrepareCA Jumpstart program, reach out to PrepareCAJumpStart@caloes.ca.gov.

Projects must be eligible, feasible, and cost effective per FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance. Projects must be stand alone activities that will reduce risk as their primary benefit, but Cal OES strongly encourages the submission of projects that achieve multiple benefits.