If your Alameda, CA home has not undergone earthquake retrofitting, or you aren’t sure if it was done completely or correctly now is a great time to start.
The 2024 California Earthquake Brace and Bolt Retrofit Program can also help you with grant funds.
Not only can this make your house safer, upgrading can also save you money on your California Earthquake Authority (CEA) insurance.
You do not need to be a CEA policyholder to be eligible for this grant.
ZIP Codes, like 94501 are chosen for program participation by the following two criteria:
- Earthquake Hazard: Hazard was identified using the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake hazard map for California.
- Earthquake Vulnerability: Vulnerability was determined by identifying the percentage of pre-1940 houses in ZIP Codes in California (US Census Data). Older houses are more likely to require earthquake bracing and bolting.
Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for a Supplemental Grant if their household income is $87,360 or less. When combined, these grants may be able to pay for up to 100 percent of a homeowner’s retrofit, if they qualify. Grants are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and available funds.
EBB program registration is open for a limited time each year. Visit the EBB website to learn when program registration is open, and if your home qualifies.
CEA BRACE + BOLT (CEA BB)
In 2024, CEA is offering eligible policyholders financial assistance to lessen the potential for earthquake damage to their houses. This program offers grants of up to $3,000 to help CEA policyholders pay for a seismic retrofit.
To qualify for the 2023 CEA BB program:
- You must have been invited by letter to participate in the CEA BB program,
- You must be losing the 5% and 10% deductible option for Coverage A (dwelling) on your property,
- You must have a valid CEA earthquake insurance policy on the qualifying house, and
- The qualifying house must be a pre-1980 house with pre-1980 construction with a raised or “other” foundation type in determining the CEA policy premium.
Learn more about the CEA BB program.
Learn about the value of a CEA BB retrofit
“I was truly amazed to find how easy it was to deal with the CEA Brace + Bolt program. Between the packet of information they sent me, as well as the ease of use of their website, everything was way easier to navigate than I had anticipated. But not only that, everyone on their staff was exceedingly courteous, knowledgeable and efficient. Bottom line, with their support and guidance, I got my house bolted quickly, received the $3,000 reimbursement they offered (which was actually paid directly to the contractor), and was able to receive a 15% discount on my earthquake insurance policy. And the best part is my house is finally bolted, something I’ve been putting off for years. This program provided the trigger I needed to get it done. I’m definitely a happy customer.“
– Susan from Los Angeles
Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS)
CRMP’s Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) is a seismic retrofit grant program designed to help protect homeowners from earthquake damage. CRMP created ESS to provide California homeowners with grants of up to $13,000 to seismically retrofit their soft-story house to better withstand earthquakes.
You may be eligible to apply for an ESS grant if (among other criteria):
- You own and live in the house you would like to retrofit;
- The house is located in one of the ESS program areas, which are designated by ZIP Code
- Your house was built before 2000;
- Your house has a living space over the garage;
- Your house is no more than two stories;
- Your house is built on level ground or a slight slope;
- Your house is wood-framed construction; and
- You have not already completed a soft-story retrofit.
You do not need to be a CEA policyholder to be eligible for this grant.
When ESS registration is open, you can complete ESS Registration online or request a paper registration form to mail. You will be asked questions about your house, and your answers will determine if your home qualifies for an ESS retrofit grant.
ACCESS MORE RETROFIT RESOURCES
Even if your house does not have a raised foundation or a living space over the garage, your home may still be vulnerable to earthquake damage.
- Get more information to learn about how to strengthen your house, whether it be a post-and-pier house, a hillside home, a mobile or manufactured home, or if you need to learn how to make chimneys safer.
- And view resources on earthquake preparedness and earthquake safety, and other types of financial resources available to help you pay for a seismic retrofit.
CONTRACTORS
Are you a California-licensed contractor, and interested in learning how to complete seismic retrofits for new customers receiving grant money? You can register and complete training for EBB and ESS, after which you’ll be automatically placed in the EBB and ESS Contractor Directories that homeowners use to select a contractor to complete their retrofit. Learn more about how to register with CRMP, complete program training, and get on the EBB and ESS Contractor Directories.
*DISCLAIMER
An earthquake or other natural disaster can occur at any time. CEA and the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) provide monetary grants to assist qualified homeowners in securing structural home improvements in an effort to reduce (but not eliminate) damage or collapse in the event of an earthquake.
Anyone who accesses the information on this website acknowledges and accepts that CEA and CRMP are not offering technical earthquake or seismic engineering advice with regards to any specific home; that the information on CEA and CRMP websites are intended solely as general educational information regarding the potential benefits of homeowners interested in earthquake safety, and that none of the information may or should be construed as a guarantee of the efficacy of any particular seismic retrofit or service provider.
PREPARE YOUR HOUSE
If you are thinking about an upgrade Contact Us and we can provide a free site visit and evaluation.
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