RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is announcing the application deadline for the Emergency Shelters Upgrade Assistance Grant Fund. This fund was authorized under Chapter 3.2 of Title 44, Virginia Code §44-146.29:3. The General Assembly approved $2,500,000 for FY 22. The Shelter Upgrade Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of providing matching funds to localities to install, maintain, or repair infrastructure related to backup energy generation for emergency shelters, including solar energy generators, and to improve the hazard-specific structural integrity (wind retrofit) of shelter facilities owned by the locality.
“This funding opportunity will improve the local sheltering capability across the Commonwealth,” said Curtis Brown, VDEM State Coordinator. “We encourage local governments to review and prioritize shelter applications that can protect the most at-risk Virginians.”
Funding Priorities
- Project supports/protects vulnerable and marginalized populations
- Project is a long term risk-based solution
Eligibility Criteria
Local governments must have a current and locally-adopted emergency operation’s plan, in compliance with the Code of Virginia §44.146.19(E) (revised every 4 years) by the application deadline
Who Can Apply?
Local governments, as defined as political subdivisions in the Emergency Services and Disaster Laws §44-146.16 “any city or county in the Commonwealth and, for the purposes of this chapter, the Town of Chincoteague, West Point, and any town of more than 5,000 population that chooses to have an emergency management program separate from that of the county in which such town is located.”
Funding Limits
- Local governments are limited to one shelter upgrade application per year (application can include multiple shelter locations)
- Limit of $450,000 (state share) for any single grant award
- The Shelter Upgrade Fund may match any existing FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants to upgrade shelters
- Local governments can only receive and implement one shelter upgrade grant at a time. Construction on any previous awards must be complete at the time of the application
Cost Share Requirement
- State cost-share is limited to the Local Council of Governments Fiscal Stress Index, which could be anywhere between 60-75% of total project costs. However, local governments may “overmatch” to achieve the desired outcome of the scope of work
Period of Performance
- The period of performance (POP) is 18 months
Application Submission
All project applications, and supporting documentation, must be submitted through the application portal by February 15, 2022, at 5 PM Eastern Time. This will give VDEM time to review all applications, request additional information, prioritize, and announce awards around March 30, 2022.
Program Guidelines
For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.vaemergency.gov/grants/ or contact debbie.messmer@vdem.virginia.gov.
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VDEM works with local government, state and federal agencies, and voluntary organizations to provide resources and expertise through the five mission areas of emergency management; prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. To learn more about ways VDEM is working to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, visit www.vaemergency.gov.
An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia
