​Marin Receives $2.9M FEMA Grant To Raise 16 Flood-Prone Homes

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $2.9 million grant to raise the foundations of 16 homes in Marin County that are at risk of natural disaster-related flooding.

Funding for the pilot program is from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which selects projects that meet strict criteria for sustainable and cost-effective efforts to reduce communities' losses from natural hazards, according to the Marin County Department of Public Works.

The $2.9 million grant covers up to 75 percent of the $3.9 million that the 16 home elevation projects are preliminarily expected to cost. The elevation project requires the finished floor of the home to be raised at least one foot above FEMA's base flood elevation.

The method of elevation depends on the foundation and may require detaching utilities and other connections, lifting the home and rebuilding or adding to the foundation.

The Department of Public Works approached FEMA about the pilot project in 2016, and hundreds of Marin County homeowners were interested in home elevation assistance. Only 16 homes could fit within the grant's funding cap.

The review process included complex environmental and historical review of the houses, which are located in Kentfield, Ross, Black Point, Santa Venetia, Tam Valley and Greenbrae Boardwalk.

According to the county Department of Public Works, the ongoing program would target low- to moderate-income homeowners and in the case of rental properties, landlords would be required to lease to low-to moderate income tenants.

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