Unlocking Resilience: FEMA’s BRIC Program Allocates Historic $137 Million for Building Codes

November 28, 2023 - (4 min read)

By Stella Carr, Energy and Resilience Project Manager at the International Code Council

As communities continue to grapple with the implications of climate change, the need for resilient infrastructure has never been more critical. This urgency has been recognized at the federal level, manifesting in an increased emphasis by FEMA and the White House on ensuring that federally assisted infrastructure and infrastructure grant recipients utilize up-to-date building codes. To aid jurisdictions working to meet these criteria, FEMA just announced a remarkable financial boost aimed at fostering robust building code adoption and enforcement. Communities can utilize this funding to advance hazard-resistant construction while increasing their competitiveness for future infrastructure grants.

A Glimpse into the Funding Windfall

This fiscal year, FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program is allocating $137 million specifically for building code activities under a new ‘Codes Plus Up’ program. This funding avenue is structured to provide up to $2 million per state and territory and $25 million for tribal communities, all aimed at supporting communities seeking to adopt/update their codes to more current editions and/or improve their implementation. These grants support communities seeking to bolster their competitiveness for the bulk of BRIC funding—hundreds of millions in competitive grants for mitigation projects. Of the technical factors FEMA evaluates in ranking projects, resilient codes provide one the greatest boosts.

The Crux of Building Code Adoption

FEMA views the adoption and effective implementation of current, hazard-resistant building codes as one of, if not the most, effective resilience measures. The Agency previously found that widespread adoption of current editions of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) could avoid $600 billion in losses from earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. The National Institute for Building Sciences found that adopting current I-Codes® editions saves $11 for every $1 invested through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, while retrofitting 2.5 million homes in the wildland urban interface to the International Wildland Urban Interface Code® could provide a nationwide benefit-cost ratio as high as $8:1.

Navigating the Funding Landscape

The allocation under the Codes Plus Up is not just a financial resource; it’s a call to action for states, territories, and tribal communities to fortify their built environment. The range of eligible activities for BRIC funding encompasses:

Acquisition of print or online publications to bolster building code activities.
Training and certification for code officials, inclusive of programs like the International Code Council’s When Disaster Strikes Institute.
Technological upgrades like electronic permitting, virtual inspection technology, and remote building codes administration.
Building department accreditation and consulting services for activities related to building codes, including adoptions and updates.

Ready to Dive In?

The journey towards securing BRIC funding begins with understanding the pre-application deadline in your state—some of which could be just weeks away—identifying your jurisdiction’s building/fire department’s needs, and initiating conversations with your states’ Mitigation or Emergency Management Officer. State applications are due to FEMA by February 29th, 2024. The Code Council is tracking state-specific timelines at www.iccsafe.org/bric. Local governments must apply for BRIC funding through their states.

Need more insights or assistance in framing your grant application? Reach out to federalgrants@iccsafe.org or schedule a consultation with the Code Council’s energy and resilience project manager, Stella Carr.

Additional information is available in the FY2023 BRIC program fact sheet, while general questions about the BRIC program can be directed to the appropriate State Hazard Mitigation Officer or FEMA Regional Office.

As we delve into this new chapter of bolstered resilience, the pathway carved by the Codes Plus Up initiative under BRIC is an invitation to build a safer, more sustainable future.