Hazard Mitigation Funding Available to Local Governments and Certain Non-Profits in Allegany, Cayuga, Cortland, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, Steuben, Tioga and Yates Counties for Projects to Enhance Resiliency and Reduce Impacts of Future Extreme Weather
Eligible Applicants Can Now Apply on Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Website Here through Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nearly $4.4 million in federal hazard mitigation funding is available to local governments and certain non-profits in nine counties impacted by Tropical Storm Fred. Through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, these entities can apply to receive a funding to cover up to 75 percent of costs for projects that enhance resiliency and reduce the impacts of future extreme weather.
"Climate change is a reality we cannot afford to ignore and it is critical that communities have the financial resources to fund projects that will boost the resiliency to flooding and other extreme weather," Governor Hochul said. “This hazard mitigation funding will help New Yorkers in counties hardest-hit by Tropical Storm Fred move another step closer to recovery. In order to prepare for future weather events, we must invest in rebuilding these communities and strengthen them through preventative measures.”
Local governments and certain non-profits must be within one the following counties to be considered eligible: Allegany, Cayuga, Cortland, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, Steuben, Tioga and Yates.
Following a Presidential disaster declaration, FEMA provides this funding for states to administer grant programs supporting local hazard mitigation planning and long-term hazard mitigation measures to reduce the loss of life and to improve property damaged by natural disasters. Local governments and certain non-profits that perform government-like functions in the counties covered by the declaration are eligible to apply for these grants.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “As the frequency and severity of extreme weather continues to grow each year, it’s essential we ensure our communities are built to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at us. In every corner of the state, communities are working hard to develop projects that will make them more resilient in this new reality and this funding is critical in not just getting those initiatives off the ground, but actually completed.”
Projects will be prioritized in the counties listed above using criteria such as direct risk reduction to vulnerable populations, projects which address climate change and resiliency in consideration of future impacts, projects that mitigate risk to critical infrastructure and repetitive loss structure and projects which support utilities or critical facilities.
The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will review applications and provide technical assistance to applicants upon request. The application period is currently open until June 1, 2022. More information on how to apply for funding and the HMGP process can be found at: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/hazard-mitigation
About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, find DHSES on Facebook, on Twitter or visit dhses.ny.gov.