FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs

Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk from natural disasters — and it's one of the best investments the government makes. Every $1 spent on federal mitigation saves an estimated $6 in future disaster costs. FEMA's mitigation programs fund property buyouts in flood zones, elevation of flood-prone buildings, construction of safe rooms, infrastructure hardening, building code improvements, and other projects that reduce damage before the next disaster strikes. The two main programs are the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), triggered by presidential disaster declarations, and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), a competitive pre-disaster program.

Current Law (2026)

Legal Authority

• 42 U.S.C. § 5133 — Pre-disaster hazard mitigation (President may establish a program to provide grants for hazard mitigation to reduce disaster losses; grants to states, local governments, and tribal governments; competitive application process; small impoverished communities defined as communities of 3,000 or fewer that are economically disadvantaged)
• 42 U.S.C. § 5165 — Mitigation planning (as a condition of increased federal cost share, state/local/tribal governments must develop and submit mitigation plans identifying natural hazards, risks, vulnerabilities, and mitigation actions; plans must be updated regularly)
• 42 U.S.C. § 5170c — Hazard mitigation (after a major disaster, the President may contribute up to 75% of the cost of hazard mitigation measures that are cost-effective and substantially reduce future risk in the affected area)

How It Works

FEMA's mitigation programs operate on a simple principle: it's cheaper to prevent disaster damage than to repair it. The programs fund projects that permanently reduce risk, breaking the cycle of damage-repair-damage.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is the larger program, funded as a percentage of total disaster assistance after each presidential disaster declaration. When a disaster strikes and the President declares it a major disaster, FEMA sets aside 15-20% of estimated disaster assistance for mitigation projects in the affected state. The state's hazard mitigation officer manages the program, soliciting project applications from local governments and prioritizing them based on cost-effectiveness and the state mitigation plan.

Common HMGP projects include property acquisition/buyout (purchasing flood-damaged homes and converting the land to open space permanently), elevation (raising flood-prone structures above the base flood elevation), safe rooms (constructing tornado/hurricane shelters in homes or communities), infrastructure retrofitting (hardening utilities, drainage systems, and public buildings), and wildfire mitigation (creating defensible space, community fuel breaks, and fire-resistant building upgrades).

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) replaced the older Pre-Disaster Mitigation program in 2020. BRIC is a competitive, annual program — you don't need a disaster declaration to apply. It funds the same types of mitigation projects as HMGP but emphasizes large-scale, community-wide resilience projects, building code adoption, and nature-based solutions. BRIC has significantly increased pre-disaster mitigation funding.

Mitigation planning is the strategic foundation. States, local governments, and tribes must develop and maintain FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans that identify natural hazards (floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes), assess community vulnerabilities, and describe a mitigation strategy with specific actions, timelines, and priorities. A current mitigation plan is required for HMGP eligibility and improves your competitiveness for BRIC.

All mitigation projects must pass a cost-effectiveness test — the projected benefits (avoided damage, reduced casualties, lower insurance costs) must exceed the costs over the project's useful life. FEMA provides benefit-cost analysis tools to help applicants demonstrate cost-effectiveness.

How It Affects You

If you're a homeowner in a flood-prone area considering a buyout: FEMA's property acquisition (buyout) program is voluntary — you can't be forced to sell. If your property is in an area targeted for buyout funding, your local government (city or county) will approach you with an offer using HMGP or BRIC funds. Once sold, the property is permanently converted to open space — no future structure can be built on it.

Buyout pricing: Typically based on pre-disaster fair market value, determined by an independent appraisal. If you believe the appraisal undervalues your property, hire your own licensed appraiser before signing anything — you can negotiate with the local government. Some programs offer to pay moving costs as well.

Buyout timing: HMGP buyouts typically take 2-3 years from disaster declaration to closing — far longer than most homeowners expect. During that period, you may need to maintain the property, pay taxes, and carry flood insurance. If you've received an NFIP flood insurance payout, those proceeds may be deducted from the buyout price. Run the numbers: sometimes selling to a private buyer immediately makes more financial sense than waiting years for a government buyout. If you've decided to sell but want the buyout, maintain the property and keep it insured — a deteriorating property can reduce the appraisal value.

Home elevation: If you don't want to sell, FEMA mitigation programs (HMGP and BRIC) can fund elevation of your structure above the base flood elevation. Elevation is typically less disruptive than selling and can dramatically reduce your NFIP premium (a structure elevated 3 feet above the BFE can see 60-80% premium reduction). Ask your local floodplain administrator about whether your property qualifies for FEMA elevation assistance — it's available for repetitive-loss properties (flooded 2+ times in 10 years) and properties in special flood hazard areas.

If you're a local government official seeking HMGP or BRIC funding: The mitigation planning and funding process requires preparation before disasters strike.

Mitigation plan: A current FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (updated every 5 years) is a prerequisite for HMGP eligibility. If your plan has lapsed, contact your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) — every state has one through the state emergency management agency — to begin the update process. A lapsed plan when disaster strikes means your jurisdiction is ineligible for HMGP funds until the plan is reapproved.

HMGP (post-disaster): After a presidential major disaster declaration, the SHMO notifies local governments of the HMGP funding available and solicits project applications. Have project proposals, engineering assessments, and benefit-cost analyses ready before a disaster — HMGP timelines are tight and projects without completed documentation take much longer. FEMA's Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Toolkit at fema.gov/bca is the standard tool for demonstrating cost-effectiveness. All projects need a BCR (benefit-cost ratio) above 1.0; competitive projects typically exceed 2.0.

BRIC (pre-disaster): An annual competitive program with no disaster required. Applications are due each fall — check FEMA's website for the current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). BRIC funds: planning and capacity-building activities (up to $600,000 at 75% federal cost share), and larger mitigation projects (up to $50 million per project). Small impoverished communities (under 3,000 population meeting FEMA economic criteria) receive a 90% federal cost share (only 10% local match) — a significant advantage for rural and disadvantaged communities.

Managing the local match: The standard non-federal cost share is 25%. This match can come from local appropriations, state assistance, Community Development Block Grants, or in-kind services. Identify your local match source before applying — FEMA will not obligate grant funds until the match is committed. For small impoverished communities, the 10% match requirement makes projects far more feasible.

If you're an NFIP flood insurance policyholder in a participating community: Mitigation investments — by your community and by FEMA — directly affect your insurance costs.

The Community Rating System (CRS) allows communities to earn NFIP premium discounts of 5-45% for all policyholders by adopting flood management practices beyond the minimum NFIP requirements: stricter building codes, open space preservation, community outreach programs, and advanced flood mapping. If your community is not enrolled in CRS, advocate to your local government for participation — the premium discounts benefit all flood insurance policyholders. Find your community's CRS class (if any) at your local floodplain administrator's office or at fema.gov/crs.

If your property is a repetitive-loss property (flooded 2+ times in 10 years through NFIP), it is a priority for FEMA mitigation funding — both buyouts and elevation assistance. The NFIP flags these properties, and your community may proactively offer you mitigation assistance. Participating in mitigation reduces your future NFIP premiums and ends the cycle of repeated flood damage and claims.

State Variations

Hazard mitigation is a federal-state-local partnership:

• States administer HMGP and manage the mitigation planning process
• State mitigation plans determine statewide priorities and project eligibility
• Local government participation is essential — most mitigation projects are implemented locally
• State building codes affect mitigation effectiveness — FEMA promotes adoption of disaster-resistant building codes
• Some states provide their own mitigation funding to supplement federal programs
• State floodplain management programs complement FEMA mitigation efforts

Implementing Regulations

• 44 CFR Part 201 — Mitigation Planning: FEMA's implementing regulations for Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 5165), which conditions non-emergency Stafford Act assistance and FEMA mitigation grants on states and localities having approved hazard mitigation plans. Part 201 is the gateway regulation — without an approved plan, states and communities cannot access most federal disaster mitigation funding. Key provisions:

  • § 201.3 — Responsibilities: FEMA Regional Administrators oversee plan review, approve or disapprove plans, and provide technical assistance; states are responsible for preparing their own plans and assisting local governments; local and tribal governments prepare their own plans but may do so collaboratively through multi-jurisdictional plans covering multiple localities
  • § 201.4 — Standard State Mitigation Plans: every state must have an approved Standard State Mitigation Plan to receive non-emergency Stafford Act assistance (including the Public Assistance program for infrastructure repair); the plan must include: (1) documentation of the planning process; (2) a risk assessment identifying natural hazards, vulnerable assets, and estimated losses; (3) a mitigation strategy with goals, objectives, and a prioritized list of mitigation actions; (4) a maintenance process for keeping the plan current; plans must be updated every 5 years to remain approved; states without an approved plan are ineligible for HMGP and other mitigation grant programs
  • § 201.5 — Enhanced State Mitigation Plans: states that go beyond the Standard Plan requirements and achieve an "Enhanced" approval receive a significant financial benefit — they are eligible for HMGP funding at 20% of estimated total eligible Stafford Act disaster assistance (versus 15% for Standard Plan states); achieving Enhanced status typically requires demonstrating a comprehensive, integrated mitigation program with documented outcomes and broad stakeholder engagement; fewer than 20 states hold Enhanced status at any given time
  • § 201.6 — Local Mitigation Plans: local jurisdictions (cities, counties, special districts) must have FEMA-approved Local Mitigation Plans to receive HMGP project grants and BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) funding; local plans must identify natural hazards affecting the jurisdiction, assess vulnerability, establish mitigation goals, and include an action plan with specific projects, responsible parties, timelines, and funding sources; multi-jurisdictional plans (one plan covering multiple local governments) are permitted and cost-effective for smaller jurisdictions; local plans must also be updated every 5 years
  • § 201.7 — Tribal Mitigation Plans: Indian tribal governments may prepare either a Tribal Mitigation Plan (meeting requirements similar to local plans) or incorporate mitigation planning into a State plan; tribal plans must reflect the tribe's unique cultural resources, treaty rights, and jurisdictional considerations; FEMA provides technical assistance to tribes through Regional Tribal Liaisons; federally recognized tribes with approved Tribal Plans are eligible for HMGP and BRIC grants directly without routing through state programs

  The 5-year plan update requirement in §§ 201.4, 201.6 is a constant compliance pressure for state and local emergency management offices — an expired plan suspends eligibility for HMGP and other mitigation grants even during active disasters. The Enhanced State Plan bonus in § 201.5 creates a financial incentive for states to invest in comprehensive mitigation programs before disasters occur rather than paying for damage after. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is the primary funding vehicle unlocked by Part 201 compliance: HMGP is funded as a percentage of total estimated federal disaster assistance after each major disaster declaration, creating a direct link between disaster severity and available mitigation funding. Recent rulemakings: 81 FR 93317 (2016) — revised local plan standards; 84 FR 55409 (2019) — BRIC program guidance integrated with Part 201.

• 44 CFR Part 206 — Federal disaster assistance (Subpart N — Hazard Mitigation Grant Program procedures and eligibility)

• 44 CFR Part 80 — Property Acquisition and Relocation for Open Space: the FEMA regulations governing hazard mitigation property buyout projects — one of the most powerful tools for reducing future disaster losses by permanently removing structures from high-risk floodplains and converting that land to open space:

  • § 80.11 — Project eligibility: property buyout projects are eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation funding only where participation is voluntary — property owners must consent; FEMA funding is not available for eminent domain acquisitions; this voluntary requirement protects against government-coerced displacement and ensures that buyout programs reflect genuine community and individual choice
  • § 80.9 — Eligible costs: federal funds may cover fair market value of structures, relocation costs for owners who must move, demolition costs, hazardous materials assessment and remediation (within limits), and administrative costs; the fair market value paid to property owners is the pre-disaster value (not reduced by flood damage), preventing windfall losses on flood-damaged properties
  • § 80.13 — Application requirements: buyout applications must include photographs of each property, assurances that the subrecipient (typically a local government) has legal authority to purchase the properties, documentation of voluntary participation, the proposed deed restrictions, and a plan for long-term maintenance of the open space after acquisition
  • § 80.17 — Project implementation: before acquiring any property, the subrecipient must screen for hazardous materials contamination; properties with contamination may be ineligible or require remediation before FEMA funding can flow; the subrecipient also must comply with the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act if any tenants are displaced (not just property owners)
  • § 80.19 — Land use and deed restrictions: the central requirement that distinguishes Part 80 buyouts from other property acquisitions: land acquired under this program must be maintained as open space in perpetuity; permitted uses are limited to parks, wetlands restoration, recreation (day use), and similar open space purposes; the deed for every acquired property must record a restriction barring future development; FEMA retains a reversionary interest — if the land is ever developed in violation of the restriction, it reverts to the federal government; this permanent restriction prevents future administrations or local governments from allowing redevelopment in the same flood-prone areas

  Part 80 buyout programs have been funded primarily through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP, funded at 15% of federal disaster declaration costs) and the pre-disaster Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. After major flood disasters, the most affected communities — particularly those with repetitive-loss properties (structures that have flooded multiple times) — can apply for buyout assistance. The program has removed tens of thousands of structures from floodplains since its creation, with significant concentrations after Hurricane Harvey, Superstorm Sandy, and the 2019 Midwest floods. The voluntary nature, fair market value payment, and permanent open space restriction are the program's defining features — making it both more equitable (owners choose to participate and receive fair value) and more durable (the land cannot be redeveloped by subsequent owners or local governments) than other mitigation approaches.

Pending Legislation

• HR 164 (Rep. Hoyle, D-OR) — POWER Act of 2025: allow utilities to add hazard mitigation during emergency power restoration while preserving eligibility for other disaster mitigation funds. Status: Passed House.
• S 3403 — Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act: mandate and boost federal pre-disaster mitigation funding, raise cost shares for small and critical projects, and give Tribes direct access. Status: Introduced.
• HR 4560 (Rep. Figures, D-AL) — Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act: shift pre-disaster mitigation from local competition to state/tribal allocations with a $75 million tribal minimum. Status: In committee.
• HR 4426 (Rep. Bresnahan, R-PA) — SMART Act: require FEMA to study how hazard mitigation saves money and boosts preparedness, with reports to Congress. Status: In committee.
• HR 2907 (Rep. Stanton, D-AZ) — Save BRIC Act: require the federal government to provide and carry out predisaster hazard mitigation nationwide. Status: In committee.
• S 1429 (Sen. Lankford, R-OK) — POWER Act of 2025: let electric utilities pair hazard mitigation with emergency power restoration and keep eligibility for post-restoration mitigation funding. Status: Introduced.
• S 378 (Sen. Lankford, R-OK) — Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act: let FEMA shorten environmental and historic reviews for certain buyouts and demolitions to speed hazard mitigation. Status: Introduced.

Recent Developments

In April 2025, FEMA announced the cancellation of the BRIC program under the second Trump administration, terminating the FY 2024 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity and ending the program as previously administered; existing grant agreements were placed under review. Litigation challenging the cancellation followed in 2025. Below describes BRIC as it operated through FY 2023.

BRIC had dramatically increased pre-disaster mitigation funding, distributing over $1 billion annually in competitive grants in its peak years. Climate change has intensified demand for mitigation as disasters become more frequent and severe. FEMA has expanded eligible mitigation activities to include nature-based solutions (wetland restoration, natural floodplain management, urban tree canopy) and community resilience projects. The agency has also prioritized equity, directing additional resources to disadvantaged communities that face disproportionate disaster risk. Building code adoption and enforcement — identified as one of the most cost-effective mitigation measures — has been elevated as a BRIC priority. Managed retreat from high-risk coastal and floodplain areas, funded partly through FEMA buyout programs, has become an increasingly discussed adaptation strategy.