Hillsborough County FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program

Below is general information for prospective applicants in Hillsborough County about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. It sets clear expectations in terms of responsibilities and level of effort involved for applicants while emphasizing the limitations of County support. If you are interested in applying, please contact the County at  FloodplainAdmin@hcfl.gov.

Program Background

FMA is a pre-disaster mitigation program that funds projects aimed at reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by mitigating flood risks. As a nationally competitive grant, FMA prioritizes projects involving Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and Repetitive Loss (RL) structures. Due to the competitive nature of the program, submission does not guarantee funding. The number of projects funded annually depends on the available budget and the quality of applications received.

Homeowners are responsible for project concept, grant application, and implementation. Hillsborough County has limited resources and will be involved in a faciliatory nature on an as-required basis. Given the complexity of the program, homeowners are encouraged to seek outside consulting support for application development, grant management, and/or project implementation. The FMA program requires cost-sharing, meaning that the non-federal percentage of project costs must be covered by the homeowner. The FMA program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning homeowners must initially cover all project costs. Applicants should familiarize themselves with both Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and FEMA policies and guidance documents.

Eligible Projects and Prioritization

Structures must be insured with the NFIP at the time of the application opening period and must maintain flood insurance to the structure in perpetuity. Eligible mitigation projects in Hillsborough County specific to prospective applicants include Structure Elevation, Mitigation Reconstruction, and Acquisition.

Additionally, projects must:

• Be cost effective
• Meet applicable NFIP flood insurance policy requirements
• Align with the applicable hazard mitigation plan
• Meet all environmental and historic preservation (EHP) requirements
• Meet other program requirements

Cost Sharing

Typically, the cost share for FMA projects is 75% federal and 25% non-federal. However, SRL structures may receive up to 100% federal funding, while RL structures can receive up to 90% federal funding. These funding levels are contingent on FEMA and NFIP determinations, as detailed in FEMA guidance documents. Even with full federal funding, the process is reimbursement-based, requiring homeowners to cover upfront costs. It is not unreasonable for out-of-pocket cost of program entry for homeowner (application and consultation fees) to approach $30,000.

Typical Process Timeframes and Schedules

FDEM requires a Notice of Interest (NOI) form from the applicant before the start of the FMA grant cycle application period. The application cycle typically starts in the fall with NOI being required in the late summer but can vary from year-to-year. Below are typical experienced timelines for FMA applicants in Hillsborough County, but can it be longer based on the quality of the application and vetting of the project:

This is a highly competitive program, and based on past County experience, a typical process from NOI to completion can take 5-10 years, assuming multiple funding cycles to obtain approval with a minimum potential duration of 3 years.

Entities Involved in the Process

The FMA Program is funded by FEMA and administered through a partnership with FDEM. FDEM has the authority and responsibility for developing and maintaining a State Hazard Mitigation Plan, reviewing Flood Mitigation Assistance Program subapplications, recommending technically feasible and cost-effective subapplications to FEMA, and providing pass-thru funding for FEMA-approved and awarded project grants to eligible subapplicants.

Hillsborough County's role is limited to facilitating compliance checks, developing and entering into necessary administrative agreements, and processing reimbursements for eligible expenditures.

Homeowner Expectations for Application and Implementation

The homeowner is responsible for understanding the program or hiring an experienced consultant. The homeowner, or authorized representative, is responsible for developing a FMA program eligible project.

1. Develop the project concept, conduct program research, and perform initial steps
2. Prepare the NOI and required application documents
3. Cover upfront costs, with the understanding that only eligible costs will be reimbursed
4. Sign and comply with Administrative Agreements with the County and contractors/consultants
5. Implement the project, managing all aspects of execution
6. Report and communicate progress, ensuring proper project closeout
7. Adhere to compliance requirements at federal, state, and local levels throughout the project

Resources

State Guidance: Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM)

• Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

Federal Guidance: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide

For more information, contact FloodplainAdmin@hcfl.gov.