Hazard Mitigation

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (Indiana) received $27.9 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to disburse to eligible subgrantees for projects in 10 disasters declared from June 2004 to April 2014. Our objective was to determine whether Indiana administered the grant program in accordance with Federal regulations and ensured subgrantees properly accounted for and expended FEMA funds. Indiana unable to demonstrate it has procedures and processes to ensure compliance with all Federal monitoring and financial reporting requirements. Specifically, Indiana did not perform required subgrant monitoring during project implementation and post closeout; submit quarterly progress and financial reports that met requirements; and comply with financial management requirements to ensure subgrantees accounted for and expended FEMA grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) followed applicable Federal grant requirements.  It is FEMA’s responsibility to hold Mississippi accountable for proper grant administration.  MEMA did not provide proper oversight of a $29.9 million Hazard Mitigation grant, or follow Federal Regulations and FEMA guidelines when accounting for grant funds.  As a result, FEMA has no assurance that MEMA properly accounted for and expended Federal funds.