Hazard Mitigation

What is Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from hazard events.  It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.  At a minimum, mitigation measures must be technically feasible, cost-effective and environmentally sound.  Current research shows that for every $1 spent on mitigation, an average of $6 is saved.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and corresponding regulation - 44 CFR Part 201, require that state, local, tribal and territorial governments have a FEMA-approved mitigation plan in place in order to be eligible for mitigation project funding. 

_{New York State Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund}

Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Revolving Loan Fund

Background

The Federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act became law on January 1, 2021. The STORM Act authorizes FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia, who may award low interest loans directly to local communities. These revolving loan funds provide hazard mitigation assistance for local governments to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant portfolio to support mitigation projects at the local government level and increase resilience to natural hazards and climate change. Funding from FEMA’s Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF supports New York’s Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (HM RLF). Loan funds can be leveraged differently than other funding opportunities to meet unique funding needs.

HM RLF program funds are administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). DHSES oversees both programmatic and fiscal administration of the HM RLF.

Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program Objectives

DHSES has established the following set of priorities for the HM RLF program:

1. Disadvantaged, underserved, and Socially Vulnerable (as defined below) areas proposing projects to foster resilience.
2. Non-federal cost share for existing hazard mitigation projects.
3. Mitigation projects that address the following:
   1. Localized flood risk reduction
   2. Soil stabilization
   3. Infrastructure Retrofit
   4. Generators
4. Projects not eligible under other HMA grants due to not passing a benefit cost analysis.

Eligibility

• Only local governments are eligible to apply.
• Loan applicants must have a current local multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in place.
• Proposed projects must be allowable under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Guidance.
• Loan recipients must establish a dedicated source of revenue to support loan repayment.

Loan Details

Loans will be made at an interest rate of 1 percent or less. Loan repayment will begin 1 year after project completion. Loan repayment will be complete 20 years after the date the project is completed, or 30 years after the date the project is completed for projects in a low-income geographic area:

Loans can be used toward non-federal cost share requirements for the following HMA programs:

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
• Flood Mitigation Assistance

Loan repayment periods cannot exceed the useful life of the item or project.

Loans used to meet non-federal cost share requirements must meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant HMA grant program and the HM RLF.

A Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) is not required for the HM RLF program.

Apply for a Loan

The HM RLF application is a two-part application. DHSES will use Part I of the application to confirm that the proposed project is an eligible hazard mitigation activity. Part II of the application will be used to assess the financial health of the loan applicant.

Local governments interested in submitting a loan application should email [email protected].

Resources

FEMA Notice of Funding Opportunity

Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan

*Website updated on June 18, 2024

Benefit Cost Analysis Support

Each year, FEMA makes billions of mitigation dollars available through their annual recurring and Federally Declared Disaster mitigation grants.  To qualify for funding, all construction related activities must be determined cost effective through an approved FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) methodology.  This page focuses on how to download and utilize the approved FEMA BCA Toolkit v.6.0 to complete a BCA, which is required for the vast majority of construction related mitigation projects.

This page includes helpful webinars, tutorials, support materials, and links to the relevant FEMA BCA resources.  DHSES also encourages you to reach out to the BCA Technical Assistance team with any questions regarding how to get started, project eligibility, type of backup documentation required, or to have DHSES complete your initial BCA (procurement rules during open grant cycles apply).

As stated above, most projects will utilize the FEMA BCA Toolkit to complete their BCA, however, certain projects employ Precalculated Benefits.  Projects that have precalculated benefits include the buyout or elevation of flood prone or damaged homes, generators for hospital-type facilities, and 5% Initiative projects. To find out more information on these types of BCAs, please contact the DHSES BCA Technical Assistance Team. 

Request BCA Technical Assistance or Ask Mitigation Questions:

[email protected]

BCA Tutorials

BCA Tutorial – How to Access the BCA Toolkit

BCA Tutorial – Generator BCA Walkthrough

Webinars

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (3)

Webinar Slides

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (3)

BCA Technical and Scientific Resources

BCA Technical Tools Links (pdf)

FEMA Resources Links

FEMA BCA Website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools/benefit-cost-analysis

BCA Reference Library: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/resources

How to Perform a Streamlined BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/streamlined-bca

How to Perform a Full BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/full-bca

Download the BCA Toolkit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-bca-toolkit-60-installation-instructions

Information for Subapplicants/UEI Number

The federal government has transitioned from the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. The UEI is now the only acceptable identifier for doing business with the federal government. All subapplicants applying for FEMA Mitigation Programs must obtain a UEI in order for NYS DHSES to transfer your grant funds to you. Directions for obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI can be found at SAM.gov. 

Please note:  If you do not currently have a UEI number, you should start the process of obtaining one immediately to ensure you are in possession of a UEI at the time of application. DHSES expects to announce these programs in August/September.

Hazard Mitigation Planning

Hazard mitigation planning begins with state, tribal and local governments identifying natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area, and understanding the built, natural, and social environments that must be protected. From there, capabilities are assessed and strategies developed to reduce this risk long-term, and protect people and property for damaging weather events and disasters. Hazard Mitigation Plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction.

The State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) documents statewide efforts to reduce risk to natural hazards, and provides local communities with critical information and guidance regarding the hazard risk, capabilities, priorities and risk reduction strategies in development of local hazard mitigation plans. To mitigate climate change-affected hazards both now and in the future, local planners must be aware of localized climate projections, the varied impacts that climate change can have, especially on vulnerable populations, and the policies, programs, tools, and funding sources available to reduce their harm. Climate change is presented and incorporated throughout this plan, following best practices from NY state agencies, authoritative scientific institutions, academia, FEMA, and other states leading the fight against climate change. New York’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) strives to highlight and follow the example of New York’s nation-leading efforts to fight climate change, adapt to its impacts, and center equity and environmental justice.

In order for a State to be eligible to receive certain non-emergency disaster assistance, including FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, Public Assistance funds (non-emergency permanent work), Fire Management Assistance Grants, and Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dam grants, a current FEMA approved SHMP is required.  FEMA requires SHMPs to be updated every five (5) years.  The NYS Hazard Mitigation Plan was last updated and approved by FEMA on December 14, 2023.  In 2018, New York State was the first in the nation to develop a web-based State Hazard Mitigation Plan, called MitigateNY.

MitigateNY is New York State’s hazard mitigation planning platform, and home for the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

As part of MitigateNY, counties also have access to a local hazard mitigation planning platform with unique data presented for each. Learn more about this initiative and the opportunities now and to come for local planning here.

While hazardous events cannot be prevented, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) have proven to be an effective tool to reduce losses and enhance community resilience.  LHMPs are documents that aim to identify mitigation actions to be undertaken to increase community preparedness and resiliency, and decrease vulnerability in the event of a hazard.  A FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is required for communities (subapplicants) interested in receiving FEMA’s grant funding for eligible mitigation projects.

As outlined in the all-hazard mitigation guidelines in 44 CFR Part 201.6, LHMPs can be prepared either by a single jurisdiction (e.g., a village, town or city) or by multiple jurisdictions working together.  LHMPs only become active after they are approved by FEMA and adopted by the jurisdiction (for multi-jurisdictional plans, adoption by one participant activates the FEMA approved plan).  Local plans must be reviewed, updated, and resubmitted for approval every five years.  Funding opportunities to update multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans are available under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs.

For more information: FEMA Planning Requirements for HMA Grants

Please Note:  NYS DHSES developed additional hazard mitigation planning standards (see Hazard Mitigation Planning Resources below) to augment those required by FEMA. After October 15, 2012, these will be "required actions" for any hazard mitigation plan developed with funds administered by NYS DHSES and will be part of all contracts executed with grant recipients.  All grantees are strongly encouraged to include this information in their "Request for Proposals" and to provide it to their consultants before planning begins in earnest.