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Part of Disaster financial assistance and recovery support

Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program

The program provides financial assistance for uninsurable loss and damage caused by natural hazards.

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Disaster financial assistance and recovery support

Overview

The Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program (HARP – formerly known as the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP)) does not cover costs, damage or loss that could have been covered by insurance. A local authority must first apply to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) for a HARP and be approved, before individuals may apply for assistance.

The 2023 DRP for overland flooding in the towns of Edson and Whitecourt and the counties of Yellowhead and Woodlands closed February 26, 2024. There are no open DRPs.

The HARP is a conditional grant program that provides local governments, ministry departments, homeowners and small business applicants financial assistance to help in recovery after a natural disaster.

The HARP includes a cost-sharing arrangement with local authorities (municipalities, Metis Settlements, and irrigation districts) and private sector applicants, where the Alberta government will provide assistance for 90% of eligible disaster costs and the remaining 10% is the responsibility of the applicant.

Disaster financial assistance can only be secured by a local authority after a HARP is approved. Local authorities must contact AEMA within 30 days of a natural disaster before a HARP can be established. It is important to note that a state of local emergency does not have to be in place to qualify for a HARP. Once a HARP is in place, homeowners and small businesses can apply to help restore damaged assets to a basic and essential functional condition.

Homeowner funding limits

The HARP follows a tiered cost-sharing model for individuals and small businesses, where the cost-share applied by the Government of Alberta varies based on the number of times the HARP is accessed. A property address is eligible for up to a maximum of three HARP applications. The following cost-share model applies to individuals and small businesses:

  • 90:10 cost-sharing for first-time applicants. The applicant must complete mitigation measures that are approved by the AEMA, depending on the event, to be considered eligible for future financial assistance under HARP.
  • 70:30 cost-sharing for second-time applicants who have completed mitigation outlined after their first application.
  • 50:50 cost-sharing for third-time applicants who have completed mitigation measures outlined after their second application.
  • No HARP funding for a fourth HARP application at the same physical property address, regardless of transfer of ownership.

The maximum assistance for homeowners and tenants is the lesser of:

  • total replacement costs;
  • total cost of repairs to pre-disaster, basic and essential functional condition;
  • property tax assessment value of the building only (excludes land value) of the year immediately prior to the disaster; or
  • $500,000 adjusted for inflation yearly, the 2025 maximum is $512,500.

Changes to the HARP encourage Albertans to play a role in mitigating disaster risks by taking proactive steps:

  • Exploring appropriate insurance options to protect their homes and belongings
  • Being mindful of development in areas that are more vulnerable to natural hazards
  • Considering relocation to safer areas
  • Taking measures to strengthen and safeguard their properties against potential risks

See the HARP property search to see if your property has received assistance since 2021.

Contact Indigenous Services Canada for information on properties on First Nations reserves.

Process for HARP - step 1) applying - step 2) Minister approval - step 3) - residents have 90 days to apply - step 4) evaluation leads to financial assistance

*Note: approval for HARP funding may take several months depending on the quality of submissions from the local authority.

Eligibility and funding

Only apply if your local authority has been approved for HARP funding.

When a disaster or major emergency occurs in the province, AEMA monitors the events to gather information. As data becomes available, the agency assesses the need for a HARP.

AEMA will provide application forms to affected municipalities for the submission of timely and accurate information about the damage in their area.

Government of Alberta ministries submit applications to Government of Alberta Recovery Initiatives by email: [email protected].

Eligible applicants under a HARP:

Public and private sector applicants defined may apply for assistance under a Program.

Eligible private sector applicants are:

  • Individuals:
    • residential homeowners
    • residential tenants
    • individuals in a provisional state of housing
  • Small businesses:
    • any form of business, e.g., sole proprietorships, limited corporations, partnerships, etc.
    • agriculture operations
    • landlords
    • non-profits
    • registered charities
    • religious institutions
    • cooperatives

Eligible public sector applicants are:

  • local authorities
  • GoA departments
  • irrigation districts identified within the Irrigation Districts Act
  • AEMA-approved public authorities

For information on Disaster Recovery Programs prior to 2025, please refer to:

Insurance responsibility

Each person bears responsibility for protecting their personal property or business/farm. Insurance is a well-known form of risk transfer, where coverage of a risk is obtained from an insurer in exchange for ongoing premiums paid to the insurer. When someone has chosen not to insure their property when insurance was available, they bear the risks.

The HARP does not cover costs for losses or damages to property that could have been insured. The HARP only covers damage, loss and costs caused by disasters that are considered uninsurable. See what hazards and perils are covered by insurance:

Approved programs

The application period for private sector applicants (for example homeowners, tenants, landlords) is open for 90 days after the announcement of an approved HARP.

Apply online

Updated application forms and online access will be available soon. In the meantime, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Application forms if you cannot apply online

Updated application forms will be available soon. In the meantime, please email [email protected] for assistance.

Fillable PDF forms may not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. See the step-by-step guide or contact PDF form technical support.

Resources

DRP Application for Review (Appeal)

Current Directives

Alberta Disaster Assistance Directives

Disaster Recovery Programs prior to 2025 please refer to:

French

Declaration de perte et de dommages Petite entreprise
Declaration de perte et de dommages Demande personelle
Appui aux propriétaires et locataires d’habitation
Appui aux petites entreprises et aux propriétaires bailleurs
Appui aux exploitations agricoles
Appui aux organismes et coopératives sans but lucratif

Punjabi

ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਟੁੁੱਟ ਭੁੱਜ ਦੀ ਸਟੇਟਮੈਂਟ
ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਟੁੱਟ ਭੁੱਜ ਦੀ ਸਟੇਟਮੈਂਟ ਛੋਟੇ ਕਾਰੋਬਾਰ
ਵਸਨੀਕਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਰਿਹਾਇਸ਼ੀ ਕਿਰਾਏਦਾਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਸਹਾਇਤ
ਛੋਟੇ ਵਪਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਮਕਾਨ ਮਾਲਕ ਲਈ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ
ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਕਾਰਜਾਂ ਲਈ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ
ਗੈਰ ਲਾਭ ਸੰਸਥਾਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਬਿਜ਼ਨਸ ਕੋਆਪਰੇਟਿਵ ਲਈ ਸਹਾਇਤ

Tagalog

Pahayag ng Pagkawala at Pinsala Indibidwal na Aplikasyon
Tulong para sa mga residente at mga nangungupahan
Pahayag ng Pagkawala at Pinsala Maliit na Negosyo
Mga maliliit na negosyo at mga landlords
Tulong para sa pagpapatakbo ng agrikultura
Tulong para sa mga hindi kumikitang samahan at negosyong kooperatiba

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-888-671-1111
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
5th Floor, Terrace Building
9515 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2C1

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