City Of Birmingham Gets FEMA Grant To Remove Homes From Floodplains
Release Date: August 31, 2006
Release Number: R4-06-040
ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is awarding the City of Birmingham a $1.93 million grant to buy and demolish homes that are repeatedly flooded during heavy rains.
The money, awarded under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, represents 75 percent of the cost of demolishing 37 residential properties in Birmingham's Village, Valley and Five Mile Creek floodplains. The land will expand open space to allow for planned greenways in the neighborhoods.
Local funds will account for the remainder of the $2.57 million project cost.
"This money allows homeowners to get full value for their property while at the same time saving future tax dollars," said Acting FEMA Region IV Director, Mary Lynne Miller. "For every dollar spend now, we're actually saving about four dollars in what we might pay in disaster funds down the road."
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation after a major disaster declaration. This project is funded as part of the long-term mitigation investments made after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Sep-2006 14:12:26