Owners of older, wood-framed homes in Berkeley can apply online to qualify for grants to strengthen their homes’ readiness for major earthquakes.

For these wood-framed homes built before 1980 with raised foundations or crawl spaces under them, owners could receive up to $3,000 for retrofitting. Households making less than $89,040 per year could receive $7,000 more. Rental property owners of homes with four units or less can also qualify. These owners, who do not need to live in one of the units to qualify, can apply to retrofit up to five qualifying rental properties.

These grants would be used to “bolt” the foundation to the frame of house, and walls called “cripple walls” in crawl spaces under houses are braced with plywood. Those eligible can apply by Oct. 1 to enter the lottery and w

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