City of Los Angeles, CA
09/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/02/2026 09:50
Mayor Bass, L.A. Congressional Delegation Urge FEMA to Release Delayed Hazard Mitigation Funds for Wildfire Recovery
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass today joined a growing number of mayors, governors, and members of Congress urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address delays in processing and approving Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding, including six Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects requested by the City of Los Angeles that have been pending final action by FEMA for more than four months.
The projects would help improve L.A.'s resilience in the face of future disasters as recovery continues in Pacific Palisades after the devastating January 2025 wildfires. According to data cited by the Congressional Research Service, no new HMA funding had been approved or obligated under FEMA's major mitigation programs since March 2025, aside from certain congressional earmarks.
In a letter to FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, Mayor Bass called on the agency to provide an immediate status update on Los Angeles' six pending projects and to move forward with the obligation of funds for projects that are ready to proceed.
"Los Angeles is doing everything we can to rebuild stronger and safer following the January wildfires, but we cannot do it alone," said Mayor Bass. "FEMA's hazard mitigation funding is critical to protecting our communities from future disasters. These projects have been submitted, reviewed, and are ready to move forward. I urge FEMA to provide transparency on their status and immediately release funding for projects that are ready for obligation. Every month of delay is a missed opportunity to strengthen our communities before the next wildfire, earthquake, or flood."
The Mayor joins Los Angeles-area members of Congress in calling for greater transparency and action from FEMA. House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Pacific Palisades Representative Brad Sherman (CA-32) separately sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Hamilton requesting an update on the status of the six HMGP projects and greater transparency into FEMA's approval process.
Read Mayor Bass' full letter below:
The Honorable Cameron Hamilton
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dear Administrator Hamilton,
I write to urge you to immediately move forward on six Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects requested by the City of Los Angeles that remain pending final action at your agency. These projects are critical to protecting Los Angeles from future disasters as we continue recovering from the devastating January 2025 wildfires.
As you know, HMGP funding is intended to help communities reduce disaster risk and build resilience before the next disaster strikes. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) completed its project selection process and submitted these projects to FEMA months ago. Yet FEMA has not obligated funding for any of them. Approximately 49 HMGP projects statewide, representing roughly $89 million in federal funding, remain in the same review queue.
Los Angeles cannot afford for critical mitigation projects to sit indefinitely in a federal review queue. Cal OES has advised the City that it does not have visibility into FEMA Headquarters' review process or a timeline for final action. This lack of transparency is unacceptable for projects that have already advanced through the state review process and are intended to protect communities from future disasters.
I am therefore requesting that FEMA immediately provide the City with a clear status update and timeline for each of these six projects, identify any outstanding issues preventing final action, and promptly obligate funding for any projects that have completed all required reviews and are ready to proceed. Every month of delay is a missed opportunity to strengthen our communities before the next wildfire, earthquake, or flood. These investments will protect critical infrastructure, housing and essential public services while helping Los Angeles build back stronger and safer following the 2025 wildfires.
The City's six HMGP projects are as follows:
LA Fire Department - Fire Code Environmental Compliance Update
This project reduces wildfire and emergency communication risks by supporting expert fire hazard evaluations and new communication system standards that directly reduce wildfire risk and enhance responder safety. Cal OES recently advised the City that this project has successfully completed FEMA's technical and eligibility review and is awaiting final action by FEMA Headquarters.
LA Department of Building and Safety - Post-Wildfire Disaster Code Enforcement Project (One-Stop Center)
This project establishes a One-Stop Recovery Center to provide coordinated and expedited permitting and inspection services for fire-impacted properties. Cal OES recently advised the City that this project has successfully completed FEMA's technical and eligibility review and is awaiting final action by FEMA Headquarters.
LA Housing Department - Home Hardening Residential Retrofit Project
This project provides rebates for homeowners to implement wildfire hardening measures and create defensible space while rebuilding residences damaged in the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires.
LA Department of Water and Power - Seismic Retrofits (Tilt-Up Walls)
This project strengthens nine critical LADWP electrical substations with seismic upgrades to reduce earthquake damage and ensure continued power service during emergencies.
LA Public Works Bureau of Sanitation - Drainage Project
This project reduces recurring flooding at four high-risk locations by installing enhanced stormwater infrastructure designed to manage high-intensity rainfall and prevent localized flooding.
LA Department of Water and Power - Wooden Cable Trench Cover Retrofit
This project reduces wildfire risk at 21 high-priority LADWP substations by installing fire-resistant covers over cable trenches to protect critical underground electrical infrastructure from heat and debris exposure.
Los Angeles is moving urgently to recover from the January 2025 wildfires and prepare for future disasters. FEMA should do the same. These critical investments in the safety and resilience of Los Angeles communities should not remain stalled without a clear explanation or timeline.
My staff is prepared to provide any additional documentation or information needed to expedite this process. I look forward to your prompt response and to working with FEMA to ensure these critical mitigation investments reach Los Angeles communities without further delay.
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