Grants available to strengthen homes against earthquake damage

The City of San Bernardino is letting residents know that they may qualify for grants to strengthen older homes against earthquake damage. The grants are offered through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) Program run by the California Department of Insurance and the California Earthquake Authority.

Now through October 1, 2025, homeowners can apply for grants of up to $3,000 to complete a seismic retrofit. These upgrades will help secure wood-framed houses with raised foundations built before 1980, making them more resistant to earthquake shaking.

Also for 2025, the program is expanding grant eligibility to include rental and other non-owner-occupied properties—giving landlords and property owners the chance to safeguard more California homes and protect the residents who live in them.

Additional support is available for income-eligible households earning $89,040 or less per year, with up to $7,000 in supplemental grants to cover most or even all retrofit costs.

Since its launch in 2013, the EBB Program has provided more than 32,500 California homeowners with retrofit assistance, making communities stronger and more resilient in the face of earthquakes. More than $20 million in funding will be available for this application period.

Established by the California Residential Mitigation Program, EBB offers funds to help California homeowners retrofit their house to reduce potential damage from earthquakes. A residential seismic retrofit makes a house more resistant to earthquake activity, such as ground shaking and soil failure, by bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space.

For more information, visit: EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.