NOTICE: On April 04, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. As a result, grant funding is not currently available for cliff house mitigation projects. Property owners seeking assistance with cliff house mitigation may fill out the Prescreening Questionnaire to be notified of future funding opportunities. At this time, funding remains available for flood mitigation. Property owners seeking assistance with flooding may fill out the Prescreening Questionnaire to inquire about the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program.
High-hazard properties may be eligible to receive grant funding to reduce risk through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant program. These grants cover up to 75% of project costs to make mitigation more affordable. The remaining 25%, as well any cost overrun, is the responsibility of the homeowner.
Common Project Types
Acquisition and Demolition
Acquisition and demolition projects include the voluntary acquisition of property, demolition of the structure, and return of the property to its natural state. This project type is the most cost-effective due to the complete mitigation of the hazard. The specific grant program used to fund the project may vary depending on funding availability and hazard type. High-risk houses along the cliffs and NFIP Repetitive Loss/Severe Repetitive Loss properties are most competitive and encouraged to apply.
Elevation
Elevation projects involve lifting a structure off of its existing foundation, construction of a new foundation that elevates the structure above the Base Flood Elevation for the flood plain, and re-attaching the structure to the new foundation. Elevation projects are available for properties in the flood plain with flood insurance through the NFIP. Repetitive Loss/Severe Repetitive Loss properties are most competitive and encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
Application requirements will vary depending on the project type and the hazard being mitigation. In addition to documentation that will be provided by the Division of Emergency Management for completion, the following items will be required:
Acquisition & Demolition:
Property appraisal
Plat survey
Color photos of the house
(Flood ONLY) Copy of NFIP Insurance
(Flood ONLY) Documentation of past flood events
(Cliff ONLY) Certified imminent threat letter from engineer
The application process for hazard mitigation assistance grants takes up to two years from initiation of the process to funding awards. Required documentation must be submitted to the Division of Emergency Management by the deadlines provided. The calendar below provides estimated dates and deadlines for the annually recurring BRIC/FMA programs.
NLT July 1st: Complete and submit the Pre-Screening Questionnaire. Once received, CCDEM will contact the resident to provide additional information. Submissions received after this date must be resubmitted for consideration for the following year.
August 31st: Final deadline for resident to submit application materials to CCDEM for subapplication development. Refer to homeowner guide for additional information.
Mid-November: Subapplications submitted for initial review.
Late January: Final subapplications submitted to FEMA.
Late Summer: Funding decisions for subapplications released by FEMA.
Mid-Spring: Funding allocated to states. Project kick-off.
For questions about the HMA grant program, please contact Hazard Mitigation Specialist Stacy O'Donnell at stacy.odonnell@calvertcountymd.gov.