Californians can still apply for grants to protect homes from earthquake damage. The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) today reminded Californians that the current Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) grant registration period will close on October 1, 2025. With just weeks left, eligible homeowners and property owners are encouraged to apply now to register for seismic retrofit grant funding.
This registration period, which opened August 20, expanded eligibility to include non-primary residential properties for the first time, giving landlords and other property owners the opportunity to apply for seismic retrofit grants to strengthen wood-framed homes built before 1980 with raised foundations against earthquake damage.
With more than 1,100 eligible ZIP Codes across the state, including 303 added earlier this year, qualified homeowners can apply for grants of up to $3,000 to help cover the cost of bolting houses to their foundations and bracing crawl space walls. These upgrades reduce earthquake damage and provide stronger, safer housing in high-risk areas.
More than $20 million in grant funding is available during this registration period. Since the 2013 program launch, more than 32,500 California homeowners have received EBB grant assistance. The EBB program is administered by CRMP, a Joint Powers Authority between the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
“We’re entering the final stretch of this registration period. The October 1 deadline is quickly approaching and we want to make sure homeowners and property owners take advantage of this opportunity,” said Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer, California Earthquake Authority. “Expanding eligibility to rentals this year means more Californians can strengthen their homes against earthquake damage, but time is running short to register.”
Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for supplemental grants. Up to $7,000 in additional funding is available for households with an annual income at or below $89,040, which may provide up to 100% of the funds needed to cover a seismic retrofit. Grants are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and available funds.
Registration closes on October 1, 2025. Eligible homeowners can register at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they can also find detailed program information, select a trained California-licensed general contractor, and view the full list of ZIP Codes and program areas.
About Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)
Established by the California Residential Mitigation Program, EBB offers up to $3,000 to help California homeowners retrofit their house to reduce potential damage from earthquakes. A residential seismic retrofit makes a house more resistant to earthquake activity, such as ground shaking and soil failure, by bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space. For more information, please visit EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.
About California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)
CRMP was established in 2011 to help Californians strengthen their homes against damage from earthquakes. CRMP is a joint powers authority created by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. For more information, please visit www.crmp.org.
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