Title: FEMA's BRIC Program: Promoting Community Resilience and Equity

Published Date: [Date]

Background on BRIC Funding

The funding for BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) in 2021 prioritized assistance that benefited economically disadvantaged communities. This included a $25 million set-aside specifically for tribal communities. The goal of BRIC is to shift the federal focus from reactive disaster spending to proactive investment in community resilience. By investing in planning and research-supported initiatives, BRIC aims to help communities better prepare for hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters.

Strong Interest in BRIC Projects

During the FY2020 application period, FEMA received a significant number of applications from across the nation. This demonstrated a strong interest in the types of projects that BRIC can support. The high number of applications indicated the need for funding and resources to enhance community resilience.

Increased Funding under the Biden Administration

Under the Biden Administration, the BRIC Program saw a significant increase in funding. In FY2021, the program's budget doubled to $1 billion. This increase in funding reflects the administration's commitment to investing in community resilience and disaster preparedness.

BRIC and FMA as Pilot Programs for Justice40 Initiative

In addition to the increased funding, the BRIC program, along with the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program, were selected as pilot programs for the Justice40 Initiative. This initiative aims to promote equity by ensuring that members of disadvantaged communities and underrepresented groups have access to federal funding and resources. By including BRIC and FMA as pilot programs, the Justice40 Initiative recognizes the importance of supporting these communities in building resilience and mitigating the impacts of disasters.

Overall, the increased funding and selection as a pilot program for the Justice40 Initiative highlight the importance of BRIC in promoting community resilience and equity. By investing in proactive measures and supporting economically disadvantaged communities, BRIC aims to create a more resilient and equitable future for all.

Contact Information:

For more information about the BRIC Program and FEMA's initiatives, please visit the FEMA website.

Publication source

See the PDF from which this article has been generated:

PDF source url: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_resources-climate-resilience.pdf