City of Houston : Post-Harvey FEMA HMGP Recovery Program
$605M HMGP Recovery | 177 Projects | 2018 – Present
The Challenge
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332), the City of Houston faced unprecedented infrastructure damage and widespread flood risk across critical public facilities. To protect the city from future disaster impacts and ensure the effective use of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds, the City required a partner with deep knowledge of federal mitigation programs, local procurement regulations, and large-scale program management.
CSA Consulting Group was engaged as a key program support provider under the City’s HMGP recovery effort, providing comprehensive services from grant formulation to construction oversight, ensuring every dollar was eligible, every project was compliant, and every facility was more resilient.
Our Approach
CSA collaborates directly with multiple City departments, including Finance, Public Works, and General Services, to guide mitigation projects from concept through completion. Our work integrates grant management, engineering advisory, financial controls, and regulatory compliance across all phases of the HMGP lifecycle.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing detailed scopes of work, cost estimates, and project schedules for mitigation activities such as elevation, dry floodproofing, and retrofits
- Providing pre- and post-construction technical assistance, including procurement and contractor coordination
- Ensuring code compliance and constructability reviews for all proposed designs
- Administering over $288 million in HMGP funds for localized and non-localized flood reduction projects
- Managing full program documentation for FEMA, state, and City audits
CSA’s Deliverables Include:
- FEMA HMGP grant formulation, submission, and obligation coordination
- Detailed work packages for infrastructure hardening and reconstruction
- Budget and cost reconciliation aligned with 2 CFR 200 and 44 CFR requirements
- Risk mitigation through constructability reviews and technical design input
- Procurement support, bid evaluation, and contractor oversight
- Ongoing federal reporting, reimbursement tracking, and closeout preparation
Impact
CSA has been instrumental in advancing over $1 billion in infrastructure mitigation and recovery projects across Houston, including:
- Dry floodproofing and elevation retrofits for municipal facilities
- Installation of emergency generators for critical assets
- Design and execution of detention basins and floodwater diversion systems
- Structural and non-structural retrofitting of public buildings
- Technical oversight of multi-phase construction programs
Our team ensures that all activities are fully aligned with FEMA guidelines and State of Texas administrative requirements, streamlining timelines, reducing rework, and minimizing the risk of deobligation.
