Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Project

Louisiana

Project Description

In 2020 and 2021, Louisiana was hit by four strong hurricanes: Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida. These hurricanes caused extensive damage across the state, amounting to billions of dollars in damages. To aid in the recovery process, the United States government approved the Louisiana Governor’s declaration for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) resources. These resources were aimed at assisting local governments in Louisiana to recover from the impact of these devastating storms. HMGP provides funding to local governments for infrastructure and residential projects, with the goal of enhancing resilience and reducing future disaster risks. The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) team required assistance in managing all aspects of grant management, from project development to reimbursement and closeout as part of the program.
Industries:
Capabilities:

Customer Challenge

Local governments often face significant challenges in navigating the complex requirements of the HMGP due to limited staff and expertise. This situation is particularly pronounced in rural areas that may rarely experience disasters and therefore lack the internal capabilities to manage HMGP funding effectively. GOHSEP is responsible for ensuring compliance with FEMA guidelines, as non-compliance could lead to shared responsibility for funding losses. The variability in experience among subrecipients means that GOHSEP needed a flexible contractor who could tailor support based on each entity’s specific needs.

Our Solution

HGA was selected to provide this crucial support based on its extensive 16-year history of helping Louisiana local governments with HMGP allocations. The firm offered a flexible approach, adapting its assistance to the varying capacities of subrecipients, from more populated areas with experienced staff to rural parishes needing significant guidance. HGA’s established relationships within local governments facilitated smoother coordination and enabled them to provide timely, detailed technical assistance throughout the grant lifecycle. This included oversight, project development, and ongoing support for a diverse range of mitigation projects, such as home elevation and flood protection measures.

Value Delivered

HGA’s technical assistance has proven invaluable, helping 32 parish governments successfully manage $492 million in HMGP funding for 115 mitigation projects. The firm’s proactive approach has ensured that none of the assisted local governments experienced callbacks of federal funds due to non-compliance, safeguarding their budgets from potentially catastrophic impacts. By delivering tailored support and expertise, HGA has empowered subrecipients to navigate the complexities of the HMGP effectively, ensuring they receive and retain the full benefits of their awarded mitigation dollars. As disaster recovery projects can span several years, HGA’s ongoing commitment continues to provide stability and assurance for local governments facing future challenges.

Client

Project Timeline

Gallery

Scroll to Top