Washington DC - February 17th, 2016 - U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released funding opportunities and allocations for its Fiscal Year 2016 Preparedness Grant Program, which supports state and local efforts to prevent, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism.

New York State is eligible to receive $76,949,000 through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the most allocated to any state in FY 2016. Through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which provides funding to support the unique risks and security needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas, the greater New York City area is eligible to receive $178,623,000, the most allocated to any of the 29 eligible urban areas.

The state is also eligible to apply for funding through the Operation Stonegarden Program (OPSG), which funds joint border security efforts, and through the Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which supports security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack and are located in designated urban areas such as the New York City area.

Among the NSGP recipients in FY 2015 were two Jewish community organizations in New York’s fourth congressional district, Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick, each of which was awarded $75,000 to implement enhanced security features, including forced-entry-resistant technology, security-modified doors, alarm systems and surveillance cameras.

Eligible state and local agencies can also apply for funding through the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP), the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP), and the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG).

See below for further information about these funding opportunities and eligibility requirements. Eligible agencies and organizations in the fourth district are encouraged to call Rep. Rice’s office at (202) 225-5516 for further information and assistance with the application process.

“We face unique risks and security challenges on Long Island, and our courageous first responders rely on these federal funding sources to ensure they are fully prepared to keep us safe,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “I encourage all eligible organizations that are interested in applying for grant funding to contact my office, and we’ll do everything we can to help you with the application process and advocate on your behalf.”

FY 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP):

• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) – $76,949,000 allocated to New York in FY 2016. SHSP funding supports the implementation of state homeland security strategies to help meet planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise needs to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.
  
  FEMA requires SHSP and UASI recipients to ensure that at least 25% of combined funding awarded through SHSP and UASI is used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. The State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply for SHSP funds.
   
• Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) – $178,623,000 allocated to the greater New York City area in FY 2016. The UASI Program awards funds to help meet unique planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas to help build and sustain capacity to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism.
  
  FEMA requires SHSP and UASI recipients to ensure that at least 25% of combined funding awarded through SHSP and UASI is used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. The SAA is the only entity eligible to apply for SHSP funds.
   
• Operation Stonegarden (OPSG): $55,000,000 total funding available in FY 2016. The OPSG program provides funding to enhance coordination and cooperation among local, tribal, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders.
  
  The SAA is the only entity eligible to apply to FEMA for OPSG funds. Eligible local government agencies can apply for OPSG funds through their SAA.

FY 2016 Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): $20,000,000 million total funding available in FY 2016 to support security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a terrorist attack and are located within a UASI-designated eligible urban area, such as the greater New York City area.

In FY 2015, two organizations in New York’s fourth congressional district, Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick, each received a $75,000 NSGP grant to implement enhanced security features, including forced-entry-resistant technology, security-modified doors, alarm systems and surveillance cameras. The SAA is the only entity eligible to apply to FEMA for NSGP funds on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations.

Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG): $15,405,703 allocated to New York in FY 2016. The EMPG Program provides funding to help state and local governments prepare for all hazards and help build and sustain comprehensive, all-hazard emergency preparedness systems. The SAA or the state’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) are the only entities eligible to apply for EMPG funding.

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP): $100,000,000 total funding available in FY 2016 to support maritime transportation infrastructure security activities. PSGP is a risk based grant program, with funding divided among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies that are required to provide port security services.

Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP): $87,000,000 total funding available in FY 2016. The TSGP provides funding to high-threat urban areas to support security enhancements to critical transit infrastructure. Eligible applicants include the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the New York City Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP): $3,000,000 total funding available in FY 2016 to help create sustainable programs to protect intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism. Eligible applicants include owners and operators of fixed route intercity and charter buses that serve UASI jurisdictions, such as the New York City area.

Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP): $10,000,000 available in FY 2016 to help directly eligible tribes strengthen their capacity to prevent, respond to and recover from potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.

For more information about FY 2016 Preparedness Grant funding opportunities, click any of the links above or visit the FEMA Non-Disaster Grants Website. If you have questions or would like assistance with the application process, please call Rep. Rice’s office at (202) 225-5516.