For Immediate Release: March 31, 2023

Washington, D.C. – On March 23, 2023, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) released its Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide, an updated comprehensive policy handbook to help govern mitigation grant programs. The guide includes an extensive list of eligible code activities that support the building safety community at large. The guide details resilient construction requirements and recommendations for mitigation projects connected to the International Codes® (I-Codes), including the International Building Code®, International Residential Code®, International Existing Building Code® and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code®.  

The new guide covers FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire (HMGP Post Fire), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs. U.S. communities benefit significantly from these programs given their focus on the eligibility of code activities and the significant increases in their funding in recent years — BRIC from $150 million per year to over $2 billion per year since 2019 and HMGP from an average of $390 million per year on average annually in the 1990s to roughly $1.4 billion per year on average over the last ten years.   

“FEMA’s updated mitigation guidance showcases the important role that up-to-date and effectively implemented building codes play in mitigating communities against hazards,” said International Code Council Senior Vice President for Government Relations Gabriel Maser. “The Code Council applauds FEMA’s continued support for and recognition of the I-Codes as the benchmark for building safety and bolstering community resilience.” 

Code activities made explicitly eligible through the guidance include code evaluation/implementation, code enhancement, technical assistance, training, labor costs for code review/development and training/certifications; consulting services, materials, software and public awareness campaigns; and surge expenses (for HMGP only).    

The Code Council has a team dedicated to assist state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments in accessing funds from these U.S. federal grant programs. Learn more about the resources and support here. 

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The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.