March 1, 2026 – La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico – More than $1.9 billion in federal funds have now been approved for Puerto Rico as a direct result of Governor Jenniffer González-Colón’s efforts along with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. These approvals reflect President Donald Trump’s commitment to reforming federal disaster assistance and reducing bureaucratic barriers that prevent Americans from receiving the help they need.
“During our meeting last week with Secretary Noem, we discussed the list of reconstruction projects we are seeking to advance in order to complete the island’s rebuilding efforts, and we are already seeing immediate results. I thank President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their continued collaboration and commitment to the people of Puerto Rico. Despite the harmful shutdown affecting DHS, Secretary Noem cut through bureaucratic red tape to release funds that will directly support improvements to the island’s critical infrastructure, including the stabilization and reconstruction of our power grid. These funds represent a historic investment in Puerto Rico’s future. From our electric grid and water systems to our schools and municipal facilities, this support will allow us to rebuild stronger and better protect our communities from future disasters,” the Governor stated.
This marks the second round of federal reconstruction funding approved in less than a week. Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved $1.18 billion; today, an additional $700 million has been announced, bringing the total to more than $1.9 billion. These funds are allocated as follows: $1.292 billion under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program; $553.6 million in previously obligated funds under the Accelerated Award Strategy (FAASt) that are now available; and $81.6 million under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The FAASt strategy allows critical infrastructure projects—based on representative samples of hurricane damage collected by FEMA following Hurricane Maria—to move forward through consolidated project funding. Using these samples, FEMA calculated recovery costs for all damaged facilities and consolidated them into a single fixed-budget project for each agency. The four agencies that received obligations under FAASt during President Trump’s first administration are the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), the Puerto Rico Department of Education, and the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration.
Additionally, DHS and FEMA recently approved 60 hazard mitigation projects totaling more than $81.6 million across communities throughout Puerto Rico. These initiatives will help strengthen critical infrastructure, protect homes and businesses, and reduce recovery costs in the event of future disasters.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assists states and territories in reducing risk and preventing damage from future disasters by funding cost-effective projects that lessen the impact of storms, earthquakes, floods, and other hazards.
These latest approvals build upon ongoing recovery efforts following multiple disasters, including Hurricane Maria, the 2020 earthquakes, and Hurricane Fiona, while investing in long-term projects that will better safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure across the island.
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