Contractors Wanted for Upcoming Retrofitting Efforts in Humboldt County

Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) is encouraging licensed and bonded, general contractors to contact Earthquake Brace + Bolt for free, web-based training program to become qualified for their online directory. 

Earthquake Brace + Bolt is a grant program that provides $3,000 state-funded grants to eligible homeowners in areas with a high risk of earthquake activity for earthquake retrofitting. Additionally, homeowners with an annual income of $72K or less may qualify for a supplemental $7,000 in grant funding.

Personnel from CRMP are currently in Humboldt County touring earthquake-damaged communities that are still reeling after two violent quakes shook the region within a twelve-day span of time.

Although the grant funding does not cover earthquake damage, it does allow homeowner in earthquake-prone areas to apply for funds to mitigate damage of future earthquakes. Maffei said that many of the older homes in the area are built on cripple wall or post and pier foundations leading to significant foundational damage during earthquakes. The goal of the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program is to mitigate future damage by connecting qualified contractors with homeowners and issuing grant funding to help cover the cost of the retrofitting.

Although each home’s retrofitting needs are different, Maffei said the average retrofitting cost is around $5200, though post and pier foundation retrofitting could run over double that amount.

The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program closed registration for the grant program back in November after reaching the current funding allocation limits. However, Maffei and team believe another round of funding may be available within six to eight months. When funding is available, registration will open, and Humboldt County residents will be able to begin the process to apply for the retrofitting grant. Maffei is laying the groundwork now so that the process is smooth at that time, stating, once the program comes into a community, they stay.

The program, Maffei said, has helped retrofit nineteen thousand homes to date and has focused retrofitting efforts in Oakland and Los Angeles, other earthquake-prone areas.

Although the program won’t help those homeowners with already damaged foundations from the recent earthquakes, Maffei and team hope to mitigate further damage by helping residents fund retrofitting projects once registration is reopened.

To sign up for registration updates or to find out more about becoming a retrofit contractor, visit the Earthquake Brace + Bolt website or call the EBB customer service line at (877) 232-4300.