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photo credit: shutterstockThis is the first time the Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant program has been opened to non-primary residential property owners, meaning landlords can apply to retrofit rentals.
The grant program is managed by the CRMP, a joint powers authority formed in 2011 by two state agencies -- the California Earthquake Authority and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
Grants of $3,000 will be awarded to offset the cost of seismic retrofitting, specifically the cost of bolting houses to their foundations and bracing crawl space walls. According to the CRMP, these types of seismic upgrades can reduce earthquake damage.
"By opening eligibility to include non-owner-occupied residential properties, we are helping ensure more of California's older homes, including rentals, can be strengthened against earthquake damage," said Janiele Maffei, chief mitigation officer for the CRMP. "Retrofitting is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe damage in a major quake, protecting both residents and the communities they call home."
Over $20 million in grant funding is available to properties in over 230 ZIP codes in the Bay Area and Northern California, ranging from Monterey to Mendocino, Concord to Cloverdale.
Eligible properties must have been built before 1980 and have wood frames and raised foundations, CRMP officials said.
In addition to grants of $3,000, homeowners with an annual income of $89,040 or below may be eligible for an additional $7,000 in grant funding. CRMP estimates that this additional funding could help cover the cost of a full seismic retrofit.
Grant applications are being accepted through Oct. 1 at earthquakebracebolt.com.
