Marginal decrease in  Homeland Security Grant Program funding in 2007 diverts more money to urban and metropolitan areas with new risk-based funding formula.

Federal market intelligence provider fedXccel is reporting a marginal 0.3% decrease in funding for State, local and tribal government homeland security programs in the United States.

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is designed to assist state and local anti-terrorism efforts.  The new risk-based funds allocation formula has increased funding for Urban and Metropolitan areas.  Both the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) got a 5% increase over 2006 funding levels.  The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funding in 2007 shrunk nearly 4% compared with 2006.

“This year’s grant process will be more user-friendly.  There will be increased interaction with all applicants before we award the grants to ensure effective investment,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in a statement.  “The funds will be distributed to reduce risk across the United States, not just in a handful of places.  But, let me be clear that the communities facing the highest risk will receive the majority of the funds.”

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