Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program
** Frequently Asked Questions **
What is the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program?
What are the goals of the FMA?
The goals of the FMA program are: (1) to
reduce or eliminate claims made under the NFIP; and (2) to reduce or eliminate
the number of repetitive loss structures in the State of Florida. A Repetitive
Loss structure is one which has had 2 or more insurance claims in a rolling
ten-year period.
What types of projects are eligible for FMA
assistance?
Eligible FMA projects include elevation,
relocation, or acquisition of NFIP-insured structures; dry flood-proofing of
non-residential structures; minor flood control projects; and, certain beach
nourishment activities. Within these categories, the Division of Emergency
Management has established project priorities in its FMA Administrative Plan.
For a list of these, please contact your local FMA representative or the
Division of Emergency Management.
Who is eligible to apply for Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)?
Although homeowners and business owners
are typically the ultimate recipient of FMA funds, only local governments and
Indian Tribes may be applicants. Accordingly, the local government must apply on
the behalf of a homeowner or business owner.
What are a local governments requirements to
apply for FMA funds?
The local government must first be a
participating community under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and
must have a FEMA approved flood mitigation plan or Local Mitigation Strategy.
How are funds distributed?
For the current FY 99 funding cycle, FMA
monies shall be made available to eligible communities in two phases. Under
Phase One, funds will only be considered for structures that are listed on FEMA’s
Target Repetitive Loss list. These structures, and their locations, are
identified in the FMA Administrative Plan. Any residuals monies from Phase One,
shall be made available to all other communities submitting applications. The
amount of funds available to any one community under Phase Two will be based, in
part, on the total number of repetitive loss structures for that community.
However, if sufficient funds are available, DEM will attempt to fund at least
one application from each community not included in Phase One.
I am homeowner, how do I apply?
First, if you are an interested homeowner
(or business owner), you should contact your community’s floodplain management
coordinator to determine if your county or city is eligible and whether it
intends to apply. If your community does not have an identified floodplain
management coordinator, you may wish to contact your local building or planning
official. Second, you should work with the appropriate local official to
complete the FMA application. An application can be obtained from the Florida
Division of Emergency Management’s web site at www.floridadisaster.org
I own a home and wish to apply for FMA funds;
do I need a flood insurance policy?
Because the funding source for the FMA is
the National Flood Insurance Fund, whose moneys come from insurance premiums
paid by policy holders, each structure for which mitigation is proposed must
have a flood insurance policy in force at the time application is made.
What costs are eligible for reimbursement
under the FMA?
Because FMA funds can only be used for
mitigation, only specific projects items will be eligible. This is particularly
true for rebuild / retrofit projects where a new structure is being built as a
part of the mitigation project. The FMA application lists potentially eligible
project items, and any interested applicant should use it as a guide in
preparing the application. Please note that all project costs will be reviewed
for eligibility by DEM staff.
As a homeowner / business owner, will I be
required to spend money to prepare my application?
Possibly. If you propose to elevate your
structure, you must indicate the elevation of the first floor of that structure
(a.k.a. Finished Floor Elevation). If this information is not readily available
(with supporting documentation), you must have the property surveyed to obtain
an elevation certificate.
If I apply, am I guaranteed funding?
No. Unfortunately, funds are limited
under this program and the demand for grant monies typically exceeds
availability. However, all projects are kept on file with DEM and, if your
project is not approved in the current funding cycle, you are encouraged to
apply during future funding periods.
What are the responsibilities of the local
government?
As mentioned previously, the local
government -- not the homeowner -- is the FMA applicant. As such, interested
local governments are responsible for identifying potential applicants,
assisting with the preparation of applications, explaining program requirements
to interested homeowners / business owners, submitting applications to DEM,
requesting funds, and ensuring overall compliance with the FMA requirements.
Once my project is approved, are funds
automatically provided?
No. The FMA is a cost-reimbursement
program. This means that homeowners / business owners who have been approved for
FMA funding, must make other funding arrangements to complete their project.
Once the project is completed, the local government will review your project
costs and submit a request for payment to DEM. The Division will, in-turn,
provide funds to the local government, who will reimburse your eligible costs.
How long will it take to have my project
reviewed and when will I be notified as to the status of my application?
The review procedures of the FMA are
somewhat complex. All projects must be screened for general eligibility,
technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with all state and
federal environmental regulations. In addition, a site inspection must be
completed for all potentially eligible projects. In view of these requirements,
project reviews typically take 6 months from the date an application is
received. However, in all cases, DEM notifies local governments of its
anticipated review timelines at least one month after the application deadline.
A homeowner should know the status of his or her application approximately 6
months from the application deadline.
How can I get more information about the FMA
program
Contact your local government for
details. Alternatively, you may contact the Division of Emergency Management
directly by calling (850) 922-4077, or by visiting our website at www.floridadisaster.org.