Climate Change

Census Bureau: New “Community Resilience Estimates for Heat” Experimental Data Product Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released a new data product, the experimental Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) for Heat. Community resilience is the capacity of individuals and households within a community to absorb the external stresses of a disaster. While the standard Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) measures the social vulnerability that inhibits community resilience, the experimental CRE for Heat measures social…

FEMA: Assistance Expanded to Boost Climate Resilience and Support Communities Using Low-Carbon Materials

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in America and climate resilience, FEMA announced today that it will make grant funds available to communities for low-carbon materials used in disaster recovery and climate resilience projects. States, tribes, territories and local communities will now have more access to cleaner building materials through eligible FEMA programs to…

FEMA: Updated Guide Released to Help Communities with Resilience Grants Process

FEMA released an updated and consolidated guidance to help grant applicants successfully navigate our mitigation grant programs to enhance climate resiliency. Following a multi-year effort and robust community engagement, FEMA updated the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide to reduce complexities and increase stakeholder accessibility to resilience grant programs. This is the first update to the guide…

SBA: Informational Webinars Announced for 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition

Agency to Host Virtual Informational Events for Qualified Applicants February 6-9. Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced virtual events will be held for applicants for its seventh Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). The GAFC will offer $13 million in prizes awarded in 2023 and 2024 aimed at expanding growth accelerators and creating innovative partnerships with…

FEMA: Twenty Tribes and All Inhabited U.S. Territories Now Eligible for FEMA’s Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program

FEMA is expanding the eligibility for a new grant program that provides capitalization grants to fund revolving loans for resilience-related activities. The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program has been expanded to give insular areas the same eligibility to apply as states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This means American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana…

HUD: First-Ever Blueprint to Decarbonize America’s Transportation Sector Released

Landmark Blueprint Will Advance the President’s Clean Transportation Agenda, Slashing Consumer Costs, Improving Public Health, and Increasing the Nation’s Energy Security The Biden-Harris Administration today released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Developed by the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Blueprint is a landmark strategy…

FHFA: 2023 Scorecard for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Common Securitization Solutions Released

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released the 2023 Scorecard for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (together, the Enterprises) and their joint venture, Common Securitization Solutions, LLC (CSS). Each year, FHFA releases an annual Scorecard to communicate and provide public awareness of its priorities and expectations for the Enterprises and CSS. “The annual Scorecard…

FEMA: 2022 National Preparedness Report Underscores Continued Threat of Climate Change

FEMA released the 2022 National Preparedness Report today, revealing the impacts that climate change and associated natural disasters continue to have on emergency management capabilities and communities across the country.  This year’s report presents preparedness data through the lens of risks and capabilities and underscores the challenges that emergency managers face in addressing a continuously expanding risk…

HUD: 2022 Year in Review

This year, Secretary Marcia L. Fudge led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to bold action in pursuit of the agency’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes. These actions aligned with key Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including easing the burden of housing costs, removing barriers to homeownership, expanding…

FEMA: Funding Opportunity Announced for New Community Resilience Program

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides $500 Million Over Five Years for Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program  Today, FEMA announced it will soon begin accepting applications for a new resilience program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to make communities safer from natural hazards. Beginning Feb. 1, the agency will accept applications for the Safeguarding…