Each year the EPA provides technical assistance to about 3 communities to help them
address the threats of natural disasters by providing tools and guidance to help them
take action to protect the people, economy and quality of life in these communities.
Quick Facts
EPA Mission To protect human health and the environment
Eligibility State, Tribal, Regional or Local Government, Nonprofits
Must include multiple jurisdictions working together
Services Provided Facilitated process and community visit by national experts
Timing Typically annually
2019 letters of interest (2pg max) were due early-Nov
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is an EPA program that provides quick, targeted technical assistance to a few communities
delivered by a team of experts with experience in the area of need. The EPA provides
a variety of tools, that have demonstrated results.
EPA is currently offering assistance to regional partnerships based on the new EPA
and FEMA Regional Resilience Toolkit.
To apply applicant submits a letter of interest, no more than two pages, that includes
descriptions of:
The regional partnership and geography
The disaster risk
Support from elected officials, organizations and the public
The plan for engaging traditionally underrepresented communities
The region’s expected capacity for implementation (policy changes, capital improvements,
new incentives, etc)
How the assistance will compliment work already being done in the region.
Project Examples
San Francisco Bay Area
Safe Growth Strategies for the San Francisco Bay Area:
EPA partnered with FEMA on a project to help the Association of Bay Area Governments
incorporate resilience to natural hazards and climate change into regional and local
land use planning. While focused on the San Francisco Bay area, this project and the
final report provide a model other regions and communities could use to assess the
vulnerability of their housing and residents and develop strategies to make development
safer.
Consult your community’s attorney and financial advisors prior to moving forward with
any of these funding options. Any reference in this website to any person, or organization,
or activities, products, or services related to such person or organization, or any
linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply
the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of companies or organizations.