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Hazard Mitigation Funding Programs

April 10, 2025 UPDATE: FEMA has cancelled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program and the FY2024 Funding Round. Additional guidance from FEMA on the impact to prior BRIC awards is anticipated soon. 

IMPORTANT: DR-4720 (July 2023 Flooding) Application Materials Deadline April 30, 2025. Please Submit As Soon As Possible To Receive Additional State Support.

Following the July 2023 and July 2024 flooding, an unprecedented amount of FEMA hazard mitigation funding is available to Vermont towns and other eligible applicants for projects that reduce the risk of flooding or other hazards.

Eligible project types include:

Application process:

  • Applicants do not need to have damages from the July 2023 flooding.
  • Eligible applicants can complete the Pre-Application Form to share your project and planning ideas.
  • Pre-Applications will be evaluated for eligibility, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. Projects found to meet these requirements will then be invited to apply, provided technical assistance (if requested), and submitted to FEMA once completed, by late 2024.
  • Grants typically require a 25% local match. VEM can now cover 100% of local match for FY2023 Swift Current and DR-4720 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects.

NEW (July 23, 2024): See the Amended Notice of Funding Opportunity for Vermont DR-4720 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for more information, including changes to cost share, pre-application deadline, and pre-application submission requirements.

Towns and other eligible applicants seeking funding for hazard mitigation projects should submit a Pre-Application Form for future funding.

Information Requested in the Pre-Application Form: 

  • Applicant’s Entity Type (e.g., municipal, state agency, regional planning commission, etc.) 
  • Applicant Point of Contact Information (i.e., name of organization, point of contact and position, email address, phone to contact) 
  • Project Type (e.g., buyout, floodproofing, floodplain restoration, planning, etc.) 
  • For Projects: 
    • Problem to be addressed by Project (i.e., what is the natural hazard and what are the impacts of the hazard in your project area) 
    • Project Description (i.e., what are you proposing to do) 
    • Project Location (e.g., address, latitude/longitude, general location of project) 
    • Estimated Project Cost 
    • Source of estimated cost (e.g., professional quote, qualified government official, past projects, etc.) 
    • History of Damages from the natural hazard 
    • Current Status of Project Development (e.g., design level, Benefit Cost Analysis, schedule, budget, etc.) 

Hazard Mitigation Information & Support

Hazard Mitigation is sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and their property from hazards.

Hazard mitigation funds are available to municipalities and other organizations to help reduce or eliminate loss of life and property by taking measures to reduce the impacts of future disasters.

The Vermont Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Team supports  state agencies, non-profits, Regional Planning Commissions and municipalities in applying for and implementing projects under Hazard Mitigation grant programs.  We also support Regional Planning Commissions, municipalities, special districts, and other governmental entities in conducting natural hazard mitigation planning, and developing FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plans.

Sample of successful FEMA-funded mitigation projects in Vermont communities

Sample of successful VEM-funded mitigation projects in Vermont communities

Learn more about property buyouts by watching this short video

Sample Webinar on HMGP - May 2024 - DR-4720

2024 Hazard Mitigation Funding Opportunities

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Projects are currently being evaluated for DR-4720 (July 2023 flooding). Additional funding is anticipated for DR-4810 (July 2024 flooding). Entities interested in applying for future mitigation funding can submit projects such as property buyouts and elevations, floodproofing, floodplain restoration, and upsizing bridges and culverts in the Pre-Application Form.

Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF) was established by the Vermont Legislature under Act 74 with the intent of improving landscape and community resilience and reducing the future public safety and water quality impacts of flood hazards in Vermont, focusing on buyouts of flood-vulnerable properties. This program will prioritize projects that are not eligible for FEMA funding. Funding is currently limited, although towns and other eligible applicants are still encouraged to submit applications, which can be processed should more funding become available. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states and local communities for mitigation activities. The funding available for FY2024 is $2 million for federal share set-aside for Vermont. Funding can be used for project scoping, planning, planning activities, building code enhancements, and project implementation. The deadline to submit applications to the State in FEMA GO for BRIC FY2024 is February 28, 2025.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program funds states, local communities, and other governmental entities to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Funding can be used for project scoping, planning, individual structure flood mitigation, and localized flood risk reduction. The deadline to submit applications to the State in FEMA GO for FMA FY2024 is February 28, 2025.

Questions can be directed to: DPS.HazardMitigation@vermont.gov.  

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