California homeowners will soon have another chance to strengthen their homes against earthquake damage. The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) has announced a second 2025 registration period for its Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) grant program, running now through October 1, 2025.
For the first time, eligibility is being expanded beyond primary residences to include non-owner-occupied homes, such as rentals. That means landlords and other property owners can now apply for grants to help protect older houses—and the people living in them—from earthquake damage.
Grants Available
The EBB program offers up to $3,000 to cover the cost of seismic retrofits for wood-framed houses built before 1980 with a raised foundation. These retrofits typically involve bolting the home to its foundation and bracing crawl space walls—two proven methods to reduce earthquake damage.
Income-qualified households may be eligible for up to $7,000 in additional funding, covering as much as 100% of retrofit costs. To qualify for supplemental grants, household income must be at or below $89,040 per year.
Strong Demand, Stronger Homes
Nearly 19,000 homeowners registered during the January 2025 application window. With more than 1,100 ZIP Codes eligible—including 303 added earlier this year in areas such as Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego—this second phase is expected to draw strong participation.
Since its launch in 2013, the EBB program has provided assistance to more than 32,500 California homeowners, distributing over $20 million in funding to strengthen housing in high-risk earthquake areas.
“By expanding eligibility to include rental properties, we’re helping ensure that more of California’s older homes are safer and better prepared for the next major earthquake,” said Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer of the California Earthquake Authority.
How to Apply
Registration opens August 20 and runs through October 1, 2025. Eligible homeowners can apply at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they will also find details about the program, trained California-licensed contractors, and the full list of qualifying ZIP Codes.