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Earthquake Soft-Story Retrofit Grant Program

 

The new Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) retrofit grant program, created by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP), is set to open homeowner registration in Spring 2023. CRMP created ESS to provide California homeowners with incentive grants of up to $13,000 to seismically retrofit their house that has a living space over the garage to better withstand earthquakes.

  • Contractors! You can register and get trained now. Be ready to go when homeowners are looking for an ESS contractor to complete their retrofit.
 

 

What Kind of House Qualifies for an ESS Retrofit Grant?

ESS provides grants to strengthen older single-family, two-story houses that have a living space over the garage, or "soft story," that is susceptible to collapse during an earthquake unless retrofitted.

Homeowners with this type of residence may participate in ESS if their home:

  • Is located in one of the ESS program ZIP Codes;
  • Was built prior to 2000;
  • Is a single-family home;
  • Has no more than two stories; and
  • Has a living space over the garage.

If this sounds like your home, please sign up to be notified when ESS opens for homeowner registration.
 


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How is an ESS House Strengthened During the Retrofit?

ESS provides grants to strengthen older single-family, two-story houses that have a living space over the garage, or "soft story," that is susceptible to collapse during an earthquake unless retrofitted.

A soft-story earthquake retrofit strengthens part of the ground floor of the house, so the existing structure can better withstand the side to side shaking that occurs during an earthquake. The foundation is bolted to the frame of the house; plywood is added to the ground floor walls; and the walls on either side of the garage door are braced by adding a steel column, steel frame, engineered shear wall, or plywood bracing to help prevent the home from collapsing or sliding off its foundation during an earthquake.

 

 


Calling California Contractors!

California general contractors with a Type A or B license in good standing may participate in ESS after registering and completing the FEMA P-1100 free online seismic retrofit training. Once homeowners are accepted into ESS, they must choose a contractor from the ESS Contractor Directory. As soon as you’ve completed the FEMA training, you will be automatically added to the ESS Contractor Directory.



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