A.8. HMGP: Assistance Restrictions

Assistance restrictions are caps or restrictions on the amount of assistance that applicants may use for specific activities under the HMGP ceiling amount. HMGP assistance restrictions include the following:

• Advance assistance: Advance assistance is authorized by Section 404(e) of the Stafford Act,^[292] which allows advancing up to 25% of the HMGP ceiling or $10 million, whichever is less. For more detail, refer to Part 11.B.
• 5 Percent Initiative: Up to 5% of the recipient’s HMGP ceiling may be used for mitigation measures that are difficult to evaluate against traditional program cost-effectiveness. For more detail, refer to Part 10.A.8.1.
• 7 Percent planning: Up to 7% of the recipient’s HMGP ceiling may be used for mitigation planning activities in compliance with 44 CFR 201.3(c)(4). For more detail, refer to Part 11.A.3.3.1.
• 5 Percent Codes and Standards: Up to 5% of the recipient’s HMGP ceiling may be used for codes and standards mitigation activities. For more detail, refer to Part 11.E.2.4.1.

Figure 9 highlights how HMGP is broken down.

Graphic

Some mitigation activities are difficult to evaluate using FEMA-approved cost-effectiveness methodologies. Up to 5% of the recipient’s HMGP ceiling may be set aside by the recipient to pay for such activities. The 5 Percent Initiative funds cannot be used in situations where mitigation activities can be evaluated under FEMA-approved cost-effectiveness methods but do not meet the required Benefit-Cost Ratio.

To be eligible for the 5 Percent Initiative, activities must:

• Be difficult to evaluate against traditional program cost-effectiveness criteria.
• Comply with all applicable HMGP eligibility criteria as well as with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Be consistent with the goals and objectives of the relevant state, tribal or territorial (standard or enhanced) mitigation plans and local mitigation plans.
• Be submitted for review with a narrative that indicates that there is a reasonable expectation that future damage or loss of life or injury will be reduced or prevented by the activity.

Activities that may be eligible under the 5 Percent Initiative include:

• The use, evaluation and application of new, unproven mitigation techniques, technologies, methods, procedures or products.
• Purchase of equipment and systems for the purpose of warning residents of impending hazards.
• Purchase of secondary power sources or related equipment, such as generator hookups.
• Hazard identification or mapping and related equipment for the implementation of mitigation activities; however, mapping for the sole purpose of updating a Flood Insurance Rate Map remains ineligible.
• Acquisition of geographic information system software, hardware and data used for mitigation.
• Public awareness or education campaigns about mitigation.

Evaluation of model building codes in support of future adoption and/or implementation

The recipient will follow the closeout requirements for the mitigation activity that was funded under the 5 Percent Initiative. For public outreach, hazard identification and hazard mapping activities, the recipient should provide copies of the deliverables identified in the scope of work, including items such as printed materials, course videos and presentations.

Applicants may apply for up to 5% of the HMGP ceiling amount for codes and standards activities. The 5 Percent Codes and Standards offers expanded eligibility for a variety of codes and standards activities. This funding source must be used for codes and standards activities and may be paired with the 5 Percent Initiative for a total of up to 10% of the HMGP ceiling amount.