President Biden has approved more than $3.46 billion to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change nationwide. This significant investment is now available for natural hazard mitigation measures across the 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the COVID-19 global pandemic through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters. This influx of funding will help communities prioritize mitigation needs for a more resilient future, including underserved communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These projects can help address effects of climate change and other unmet mitigation needs, including using funds to promote equitable outcomes in underserved communities.

Mitigation projects can include:

• The use of nature-based features, such as storm water parks, living shorelines, and land conservation to reduce coastal erosion or increased flooding.
• The creation of buffers to decrease spread and absorb impacts of approaching wildfires using fire resistant construction materials.
• Relocating critical utilities outside of high-risk areas.

Eligible applicants include:

• State and local governments who have an approved Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) in accordance with 44 CFR §201.6, prior to receipt of HMGP subgrant funding for projects
• Private non-profit organizations or institutions that own or operate a private nonprofit facility as defined in §206.221(e)