CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released $1,871,267 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Brown County, Ind., for the acquisition and removal of 35 residential structures. The funds will be available once a final agreement is signed between Brown County and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS).

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $2.5 million project. The remaining 25 percent of the funds, $623,755, will be provided through a combination of funds from the Community Development Block Grant and Brown County. IDHS administers the mitigation program.

"Mitigation projects such as these benefit residents and communities affected by disasters," said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. "These acquisitions in Brown County will reduce future structural losses and lessen the financial impact on individuals and governments following a disaster."

"Indiana continues to recover from the long-term effects of the 2008 flooding. This assistance is a key step in the recovery process for those residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed," said IDHS Executive Director Joseph Wainscott. "The partnership and teamwork among Brown County, IDHS and FEMA helped provide this much needed relief."

HMGP funds will be used to remove these homes from flood prone areas, returning the area to open space in perpetuity. HMGP projects like this are the cornerstone of disaster prevention efforts, and illustrate the importance of local, state and federal government working for the benefit of citizens.

"We are happy to assist homeowners that are still struggling with the damaging effects of the floods," said Sherry Seiwert, executive director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, which manages the block grants. "These funds will help residents remain in their communities and spur the revitalization efforts that have been taking place since 2008."

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