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48 HMGP private-property applications in queue; councilors urge asking for deadline extension
Summary
City staff told the committee that 48 private-property Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications are currently in the state queue, and councilmembers urged staff to request an extension of the Oct. 31 HMGP deadline so more property owners can apply.
Asheville — Rachel Taylor, economic development division manager, told the Policy, Finance & Infrastructure Committee on Aug. 26 that 48 private-property Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications were in the state's queue and the number was expected to rise before the Oct. 31 deadline.
"There are currently 48 applications in our queue," Taylor said, and she gave a breakdown: 41 acquisition applications (14 residential, 26 commercial, 1 other), 13 elevation requests (12 residential, 1 commercial), and two slope-stabilization requests (both residential).
Why it matters: HMGP funds mitigation projects that reduce long-term damage from natural disasters. North Carolina receives a statewide HMGP allocation (staff cited roughly $1.4 billion statewide), and local projects must be submitted to the state emergency management office for approval before federal funding can be accessed.
Council discussion and staff response Several councilmembers said outreach to property owners has been uneven and advocated asking state or federal partners for a filing extension. One councilmember said, "I'd really advocate for that," referencing making a formal request for more time to allow property owners to evaluate options. Staff said they would coordinate with Buncombe County and the state (North Carolina Emergency Management) and could add the request to the list of calls staff would make.
Technical limits and eligibility City staff and the interim director of capital management, Walter Ehr, reiterated that HMGP focuses on natural-disaster mitigation and requires benefit-cost analysis for public infrastructure projects. Ehr said, "Mitigation is in the name," and explained that HMGP can fund secondary power systems, including both fossil-fuel generators and photovoltaic-plus-battery systems where guided by HMGP rules.
Next steps Staff said they will continue outreach (including targeted letters and FAST-team contacts), confirm whether an extension is available, and report back to council. No formal extension request or vote occurred at the committee; council indicated support for pursuing one if allowable by state or federal administrators.
