FEMA Awards $2,999,992 Grant to the Village of Glenview: Hazard mitigation funds will be used to acquire and demolish 16 flood prone structures

CHICAGO –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $2,999,992 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to the village of Glenview, Ill., for the acquisition and demolition of 16 residential structures in the Chicago River floodplain. Following demolition, these properties will be maintained as permanent open space in the community.

“The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program enables communities to implement critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property,” said FEMA Region V acting administrator Janet Odeshoo.  “The acquisition and demolition of these structures permanently removes them from the floodplain and greatly reduces the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area.”

“Approval of this grant is good news for these Glenview residents who have been devastated by flooding many times in the past,” said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.  “The grant will enable them to move out of the floodplain and avoid future heartache and property losses.”

HMGP provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. Through HMGP, FEMA will pay $2,999,992 of the eligible project cost.  The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will provide $5,768,888 in non-federal funds to support the $8,768,880 project cost in partnership with the village of Glenview and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, (312) 408-4455