Mitigation Partners:
GOHSEP invites the public to provide input on the Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan.
In response to the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act and the enabling legislation passed by Louisiana, Act No. 524, GOHSEP intends to apply for a capitalization grant from FEMA to fund the second year of the STORM Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program and is seeking public comment on the draft Intended Use Plan (IUP). The IUP describes how GOHSEP intends to establish and administer the RLF and is a requirement for applicants to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) STORM grant program. The GOHSEP IUP is drafted in compliance with the requirements and template created by FEMA. The IUP is a draft that could continue to be revised during the public comment period.
The STORM Act, which became law on Jan. 1, 2021, authorized FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia to establish revolving loan funds that provide hazard mitigation assistance through low interest loans to local governments to mitigate impacts from natural hazards.
These low interest loans (no more than 1%) may enable local governments to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. Loans are fully amortized not later than 20 years after the date the project is completed, or 30 years for projects in a low-income geographic area. Loan funding may be used in conjunction with other federal grants to develop stronger community-based projects and may be used to satisfy the non-federal cost share requirement for other Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants.
GOHSEP is accepting public comment on the IUP now through April 24, 2024, at 12:00 (noon) CT.
Please access the draft IUP at this link: GOHSEP FY24 STORM RLF IUP Draft For Public Comment
Those wishing to provide comment should do so by emailing [email protected] with the comment and corresponding page number(s) and section header.
DISCLAIMER: The IUP is currently a draft, and GOHSEP reserves the right to make changes during the public comment period and prior to submission to FEMA.
Resources:
For additional RLF information, please review the documents and links provided on GOHSEP Grants STORM Information Resources Page, which includes FEMA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity:
GOHSEP Grants Resources, STORM Info
For more details about each of these application sections and information about the Environmental and Historic Preservation Review process, visit the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program webpage.
