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About Us

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) joined efforts in 2011 as the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP). Together, they created an earthquake retrofit incentive program designed to keep you and your home safer in the event of an earthquake. It’s called the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt has completed thousands of retrofits statewide

The Brace + Bolt program provides grants for a specific building-code-compliant seismic retrofit. This type of retrofit strengthens an older house to help prevent it from sliding off its foundation during an earthquake.

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Launched in 2013, EBB was created to help homeowners lower the potential for damage to their houses during an earthquake. We do this by providing grants of up to $3,000 to homeowners to help pay for seismic retrofits. We have helped thousands of homeowners complete a seismic retrofit of their house.

What We Do

The EBB grant program provides homeowners in certain high risk California ZIP Codes with $3,000 to help offset the cost of completing a "brace and bolt" residential seismic retrofit. The retrofit involves bolting the house to its foundation and, when necessary, adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space. A seismic retrofit strengthens an older house, making it more resistant to earthquake activity.

With as many as 1.2 million vulnerable homes statewide and an increased risk of “the Big One” striking at any time, EBB is strengthening investments, families, and communities one house at a time.

Learn more about the EBB Retrofit

How to Get an EBB Seismic Retrofit Grant

California homeowners in eligible ZIP Codes with a house that meets certain criteria can apply for a grant during a 30-day registration period held once per year. Qualified homeowners will be selected through a random drawing and notified via email if they have been selected to receive a grant, or if they are on the wait list.

Houses that qualify for EBB grants typically:

  • Were built before 1980 (but are more prevalent before 1940);
  • Have a raised concrete foundation;
  • Sit on level ground or a low slope; and
  • May have wood-framed walls in the crawl space under the house. 

A retrofit can make the difference between complete destruction that makes a home unhabitable and mitigating damage caused by a large quake. Learn more about how to register for an EBB seismic retrofit grant.

Learn more about the EBB Program

About CRMP

CRMP was established in 2011 to help Californians strengthen their homes against damage from earthquakes. CRMP is a joint powers authority created by CEA and Cal OES. Earthquake Brace + Bolt: Funds to Strengthen Your Foundation is the first incentive program offered by CRMP.

About CEA

CEA encourages Californians to reduce their risk of earthquake loss and provides funding for EBB seismic retrofit grants. CEA is a not-for-profit, publicly managed, privately funded provider of home earthquake insurance to California homeowners and renters. CEA insurance can be purchased through one of its participating residential insurance companies.

About Cal OES

Cal OES is responsible for the coordination of overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government, and provides funding for EBB seismic retrofit grants. The office is responsible for assuring the state’s readiness to respond to and recover from all hazards—natural, manmade, war-caused emergencies and disasters—and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and hazard mitigation efforts.
 

See if Your Home Qualifies for an EBB Retrofit