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Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program to Host Free Webinar for California Contractors on Grant-Funded Retrofit Opportunities
Sacramento, Calif. — The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) will host a free informational webinar for California contractors on Friday, April 3, from 12:00–12:45 p.m. PT to explain how contractors can grow their business through the state’s grant-funded home retrofit initiative, the Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program (EBB). The webinar is supported by The Home Depot and is designed for contractors enrolled in its Pro Xtra loyalty program and others interested in seismic retrofit work.
The session will be hosted by Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for CRMP. She will walk contractors through how the EBB program works and how available grant funding helps homeowners move forward with retrofit projects. She will also describe how becoming a FEMA-trained contractor can expand your business portfolio by being connected with new customers who have registered for EBB grants.
“Earthquake retrofits help make California homes safer and create meaningful opportunities for contractors,” explained Maffei. “Through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, homeowners have direct access to grant funding to move forward with projects, which helps contractors spend less time chasing uncertain jobs and more time doing the work.”
Since 2013, more than 36,500 homeowners have received assistance through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program to complete seismic retrofits that strengthen older homes against earthquake damage. Interest in the program continues to grow, with nearly 37,000 California homeowners applying for EBB assistance in 2025 alone, reflecting the strong demand for retrofit services across the state.
The webinar will help contractors understand how participation in the EBB program can create a steady pipeline of projects. Eligible California homeowners can receive up to $3,000 in grant funding to retrofit their homes, and income-eligible households may qualify for up to $10,000, significantly reducing the cost barriers that often delay retrofit work.
For contractors, this means projects are more likely to move forward without financing uncertainty. Becoming FEMA-certified can help contractors reduce sales friction, benefit from predictable payment structures, and perform retrofit work that is both in demand and supported by FEMA-funded grants.
During the webinar, contractors will learn:
- How the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program works
- How grant funding helps homeowners complete retrofit projects
- The benefits of becoming a FEMA-certified contractor
- How participation can expand contractor services and customer reach
- How The Home Depot is supporting contractor education around seismic safety and mitigation
The webinar will be held virtually via Zoom and is free to attend.
Event Details:
What: Grant-Funded Retrofit Jobs: Grow Your Business with Earthquake Brace + Bolt
When: Friday, April 3, 2026 | Noon–12:45 p.m. PT
Where: Contractors can register for the virtual (Zoom) webinar online at this link.
About Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB)
Established by the California Residential Mitigation Program, EBB offers up to $3,000 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, please visit EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.
About the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)
CRMP was established in 2011 to help Californians strengthen their homes against damage from earthquakes. CRMP is a joint powers authority created by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. For more information, please visit CaliforniaResidentialMitigationProgram.com.