BudgetDHS announces 2011 grants, $800 million less than 2010
Last week DHS announced that it would begin distributing more than $2.1 billion in grant money to state and local agencies for fiscal year 2011, nearly $800 million less than last year; the reduction in grant money comes as a reflection of the U.S. government’s attempts to cut spending and find cost savings
Last week DHS announced that it would begin distributing more than $2.1 billion in grant money to state and local agencies for fiscal year 2011, nearly $800 million less than last year.
The reduction in grant money comes as a reflection of the U.S. government’s attempts to cut spending and find cost savings.
“In today’s tight fiscal environment, we are setting clear priorities and focusing on the areas that face the greatest risk to maximize our limited grant dollars,” said DHS secretary Janet Napolitano. “The FY 2011 homeland security grants are focused on mitigating and responding to the evolving threats we face.”
The new grants reduce funding to cities and regions that are less at risk of terrorist-attack in favor of high-risk areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston based on the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that homeland security funds be allocated “based strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities.”
This year $662 million has been allocated to the Urban Areas Security Initiative, $526 million for the State Homeland Security Program, and $329 million for the Emergency Management Performance Grants. These grants are aimed at boosting the response capabilities of local law enforcement, fire fighters, and other first responders.
Other available funds include $18 million for at-risk non-profits under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, $10 million for Native American tribes under the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program, and $200 million for transportation operators under the Transit Security Grant Program.
