California Safe Homes grant program.

Assembly Member Calderon's California Safe Homes grant program legislation establishes a new framework for wildfire mitigation, creating a state-funded initiative to help property owners and local governments reduce fire risks through targeted improvements. The Department of Insurance would administer grants prioritizing roof replacements and the creation of defensible space around structures, particularly in high and very high fire hazard severity zones.

The program targets assistance to qualifying individuals whose properties are insured through admitted carriers or the California FAIR Plan Association, with income restrictions limiting eligibility to those below county-specific thresholds set by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Cities, counties, and special districts can also apply for funding to implement community-wide mitigation projects that align with existing state wildfire safety regulations.

A new Sustainable Insurance Account within the Insurance Fund would provide program funding upon legislative appropriation. The Department must track grant distribution and outcomes, requiring documentation from recipients about completed improvements and any resulting insurance premium adjustments. Starting January 2027, the Department will publish biennial performance reports analyzing the geographic allocation of funds and providing data on program impacts. The California FAIR Plan Association must separately report annually on the number of policyholders qualifying for wildfire mitigation incentives under current regulations.