Is Your Home Earthquake-Ready? Brace and Bolt Grants Available for California Homeowners

California is one of the most earthquake-prone states, and older homes built before 1980 are especially at risk of severe damage or collapse. According to the California Earthquake Authority, over 1.2 million homes statewide lack proper seismic reinforcement. That’s why the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program is offering financial assistance to help homeowners strengthen their foundations.

Janelle Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer at the California Earthquake Authority, explains that many pre-1980 homes, especially those built before 1940, were constructed before modern seismic codes. These homes often lack proper bolting to their foundations and have weak crawlspace walls that can collapse during an earthquake.

The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program provides grants of up to $3,000 to help homeowners retrofit their houses. Additionally, income-qualified households earning $89,000 or less may receive supplemental funding to cover more of the costs.

To qualify, homeowners must live in an eligible zip code and own a home with a raised foundation and crawlspace. The program is not available for slab-on-grade or hillside homes.

For more information and to check eligibility, visit earthquakebracebolt.com. Registration is open until March 26. Don't wait—take action to protect your home and family today.