Registration now open for Earthquake Brace + Bolt program

Published on October 17, 2022

There are more than 1 million houses in high-hazard areas of California that are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of the way they were constructed. Many homeowners know their homes are at risk when an earthquake occurs but are unaware that they can help protect their homes with a seismic retrofit. Registration is now open for $3,000 grants program to secure homes in high-hazard zip codes, including 94025. Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for supplemental grants to pay for up to 100% of retrofit cost. Through the brace and bolt retrofit, the foundation is bolted, and if there is a cripple wall, it is braced. 

Houses that typically qualify:

• Are built before 1980 (but are more prevalent before 1940)
• Have a raised continuous perimeter concrete foundation
• Sit on level ground or low-slope
• May have wood-framed walls (called cripple walls) in the crawl space under the first floor

Registration for the program opens Oct. 18, 2022, eligible homeowners can apply for retrofit grant funding at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they can also find detailed program information, select a FEMA-trained, California-licensed general contractor and view the full list of eligible zip codes.

For more information about this innovative program, please visit EarthquakeBraceBolt.com or view the English and Spanish flyers.

Menlo Fire CERT will be hosting a webinar by Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer with California Earthquake Authority, on Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. Her presentation will cover what you can do to protect your home against earthquake damage and information on the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program. Register in advance.