The City of Calabasas has extended its Wildfire Resiliency Home Hardening Incentive Grant Program, with additional funding now available to help more residents make their homes safer from wildfire.
Through the program, qualified residential property owners who complete a certified Home Hardening Evaluation and implement recommended improvements may be reimbursed up to $1,000 for eligible home-hardening expenses. Please note that tree and bush trimming are considered Defensible Space work and are not eligible for reimbursement under this grant.
The program is funded through Wildfire Prevention and Climate Resilience Grant No. 3810-GF-2520 from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Before beginning work, please refer to the recommendations in your Home Hardening Assessment to make sure the improvements you are considering qualify for reimbursement.
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reimbursements are possible until grant funds are exhausted.
Homeowners interested in participating should consider scheduling their free EPIC evaluation and starting the process as soon as possible. Some larger projects, such as roof replacement, window changes and deck repairs, may also require City permits.
What Is Home Hardening?
Home-hardening improvements can include addressing vulnerable vents and openings, clearing debris from roofs and gutters, reducing combustible materials near the house, and upgrading windows, decks, eaves, and other areas where embers or flames could threaten your home.
Home hardening can help make your house and the area immediately around it more fire-resistant.
Homes can be threatened by direct flames, radiant heat, and flying embers. Embers are especially important to address because they can travel ahead of a wildfire and enter vulnerable areas of a structure.
Not sure where to begin? EPIC-FSC offers free Home Hardening Assessments for Calabasas residents.
Take the next step!
Trained EPIC volunteers will walk the exterior of your property with you and help identify areas that may make your home more vulnerable to wildfire. The assessment may include looking at:
- Roofs, gutters and eaves
- Vents and other openings
- Windows and decks
- Landscaping and vegetation
- Defensible space around your home
We’ll explain what we’re looking for, answer your questions, and help you understand which improvements to prioritize.
It’s free, confidential, and setting one up is easy.
Ready to Do the Work? There’s Help Finding a Vendor, Too
Once you know what needs attention, the next question is often: Who can help me with it?
The California Fire Safe Council offers a Fire Safe Business Directory that connects homeowners and communities with businesses that provide wildfire-preparedness products and services, including home hardening, fire-resistant building materials, vegetation management, and other wildfire-mitigation services.
California Fire Safe Council Fire Safe Business Directory
Visit Calabasas Firewise. It recommends starting with a home assessment, determining your priorities, and then contacting appropriate vendors or installers.
Calabasas Firewise Materials and Installers
Wildfire preparedness doesn’t have to happen all at once. With additional grant funding now available, it’s a great time to take the first step.
