The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration.
The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
A grant administered thru the Department of Labor, Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster.
Approximately $73,000 of payments are being dispersed to assist 249 individuals who qualify for DUA benefits.
A U.S. Department of Labor Emergency Disaster Grant Program to assist with debris clean up, recovery, restoration and humanitarian efforts as a result of the disaster.
There are currently 61 certified worksites and 1890 project workers placed at the worksites.
Over $2.9 million of NEG funding has been dispersed in salaries and wages for the disaster project workers since the launch of the program on November 2nd.
The Mennonite Disaster Service and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief groups continue their ministry with helping families who had major damages to their homes.
Approximately 148 homes were verified by FEMA as having major damages.
Over 17 homes have had major repairs completed to date.
This program was made available as an option for applicants who had total loss and destruction of their home.
(51) applicants chose the Permanent Housing Construction Program instead of the financial assistance.
These applicants are in different stages of the process for constructing their house.
Construction Orders have been issued for (15) applicants.
The “construction” work consists of site work, demolition and construction.
The Construction Orders for the (15) applicants are for:
- 5 homes in Amanave
- 3 homes in Leone and Tula
- 2 homes in Fagasa
- 1 home in Asili and Poloa
The FEMA Joint Field Office will transition to a FEMA Disaster Recovery Office on March 19, 2010 at the same location in Tafuna.
The majority of the FEMA staff will depart the territory on Sunday, March 21st.
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Office will have some senior staff and employees remaining on island for the Permanent Housing Construction Program.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. The HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
As of February 19, 2010 all (30) applicants met the deadline for submission of their 30-day period for the 100% of direct federal assistance for Category A (Debris Clean Up/Recovery) and Category B (Emergency Protective Measures).
This was the amendment to the federal declaration that approved the change from the 75/25 to the 90/10 cost share and the additional approval of 100% direct federal assistance for the 30-day period.
A grant administered thru the Department of Labor, Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster.
Approximately $72,000 of payments are currently being dispersed to assist individuals who qualify for DUA benefits.
A U.S. Department of Labor Emergency Disaster Grant Program to assist with debris clean up, recovery, restoration and humanitarian efforts as a result of the disaster.
Certified worksites: 57
Worksites awaiting certification: 3
Temporary disaster workers hired to date: 1822
Disaster cleanup, recovery, restoration and humanitarian efforts have been coordinated by 29 government agencies and 28 non-profit organizations and villages. A recent increase in the project workers compensation was made to adjust their salaries from the territory minimum wage in order to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant award that directs “participants must be paid the higher of the Federal, state or local minimum wage.” In the initial application of the emergency grant, the territory minimum wage at the time of application was used as the rate of compensation at $4.41. The adjusted rate of $7.plus was included in the grant modification to comply with the terms and conditions of the federal grant award.