FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMET AGENCY 
Mitigation Directorate Fact Sheet
FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Spring/Summer 2008

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Flood Mitigation 
Assistance Program (FMA) provides funding to States and communities for 
measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to 
buildings, manufactured homes, and other structures insurable under the 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Program provides grants for 
mitigation planning, projects, and technical assistance, with a goal of 
reducing claims under the NFIP.

A FOCUS ON REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES

A priority of the FMA Program is to fund flood mitigation activities that 
reduce the number of repetitive loss structures insured by the NFIP. 
Repetitive loss structures are those that have sustained two or more losses, 
each exceeding $1,000, within a 10- year period. FEMA encourages States and 
communities to develop plans that address repetitive loss properties.

The States serve as program administrators. They set mitigation priorities, 
provide technical assistance to communities applying for FMA funds, evaluate 
applications, and work with FEMA to approve grants and award funds to 
communities.

THREE TYPES OF GRANTS AVAILABLE

The FMA Program offers three types of grants to States and NFIP communities:

Planning grants are used to assess flood risks and developing plans for 
reducing the risks.

Project grants are used to implement measures that reduce flood losses to 
NFIP-insured properties. Such activities include:

·Elevating structures in high-risk flood areas.
·Acquiring (and either demolishing or relocating) buildings in high-risk 
flood areas and returning the property to open space. Property owners are 
never forced to sell their property. Acquired land is owned by the community, 
and restricted to open space in perpetuity.

Mitigation projects must be cost-effective and technically feasible. They 
must be consistent with NFIP floodplain management regulations and applicable 
environmental laws and regulations. They must also comply with the local 
flood mitigation plan.

Technical Assistance grants help States and communities develop viable FMA 
applications and implement projects.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For FMA Program resources, visit the FEMA website at: 
http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/fma/index.

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FMA FUNDING SUBJECT TO CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATION

FMA funding is provided through State allocations through the National Flood 
Insurance Fund. FEMA may contribute up to 75 percent of the total costs for 
eligible activities. At least 25 percent of the total costs must be provided 
by a non-Federal source, of which no more than half can be in-kind 
contributions from third parties.
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