Project Pace of Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding in Florida
Release Date: July 3, 2007
Release Number: FNF-07-035
P.O. Box 24700
West Palm Beach, FL 33416
RE: “Head of storm-aid effort quits as projects pile up,” 06/02/07
“Chief for FEMA grants program changed,” 06/05/07
Do not be fooled by some articles you may have read recently on problems with a FEMA grant program. The Palm Beach Post indicated in articles on June 2 and June 5 that FEMA has been slow to review applications for funds used to make Florida public buildings more disaster resistant. The truth is the program runs much more smoothly than the Post led readers to believe.
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is a big one, with more than a half billion dollars set aside for projects in Florida. Even with that amount, there is not enough money made available by law to fulfill the nearly 1,000 applications the agency received from local governments. FEMA has been very successful in reviewing those applications and informing the State of Florida whether FEMA funds will be provided.
In Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties FEMA has taken action nearly 90 percent of the grant applications submitted following the 2004 storm season. Statewide there are only 241 projects still under review and half of those applications were submitted to FEMA in the end of April 2007.
FEMA is always looking for ways to work with the state to perform better. This state-run program is no exception. But it is unfair to suggest funding decisions have been slow when the vast majority of applications have been reviewed and those that have not were only recently submitted.
Sincerely,
Luis Jimenez
Acting Mitigation Branch Director
FEMA Florida Long-Term Recovery
Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2007 13:51:57