Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved the state of Florida’s action plan for the $633 million in first-of-its-kind federal funding for disaster mitigation. DEO is prepared to launch new Rebuild Florida mitigation programs over the next few months. The funds are allocated through HUD’s newly created Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program formed in response to the 2016 to 2017 presidentially declared disasters. Through Rebuild Florida, local governments and municipalities will have access to the resources necessary to bolster their community’s resiliency to future disasters.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, our agency has designed mitigation programs that will increase the resiliency of Florida’s communities,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson. “Through Rebuild Florida’s newly created mitigation programs, municipalities will be better equipped to make their communities stronger and more resilient to future storms.”

Over the next few months, DEO will be launching the following Rebuild Florida mitigation programs designed to increase the resiliency of the state of Florida:

Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program (Application opens – April 15) – This program will allow units of general local government (UGLG) and state agencies to harden critical buildings that serve a public safety purpose for local communities.

Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Planning Program (Application opens May 15) – To support local, regional and statewide mitigation planning efforts.

Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Infrastructure Program (Application opens June 15) – This program will fund large scale and high impact local, multijurisdictional and regional investments that include: upgrading of water, sewer, solid waste, communications, energy, transportation, health and medical and other public infrastructure projects that will reduce hazard risks.

According to the guidelines set by the Federal Register, at least 50 percent of the funds must be spent in HUD-designated Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas, with the remaining funds spent in state-designated MID areas. This federal grant program requires that funding also be used to benefit low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities, with 50 percent of the grant expended in six years and 100 percent of the funds spent in 12 years. In total, 51 Florida counties are eligible to receive CDBG-MIT funding.

More info.