Wildfire resiliency: financial assistance

The program is designed to lower upfront financing barriers for home hardening and defensible-space work that can reduce wildfire losses. It may operate only when the Legislature appropriates funding, and cannot use electric or gas utility ratepayer money.

What the law does ​

• Establishes the California Wildfire Resilience Loan Program, administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority.
• Authorizes loan-loss reserves, interest-rate buy-downs, and other credit enhancements for private financing.
• Covers home hardening, ignition-resistant features, vegetation management, defensible-space treatments, smoke-mitigation retrofits, and other measures that improve a structure’s wildfire survivability.
• Allows financing for related inspections and administrative fees when they accompany an eligible improvement.
• Requires eligibility guidance to be informed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the California Department of Insurance.
• Allows statewide assistance without property liens or limits based on land classification, jurisdiction, or fire-hazard severity zone.
• Authorizes outreach, technical assistance, partnerships, verification procedures, and a public-facing program website.

Who it affects ​

• Owners of residential, multifamily, mixed-use, nonprofit, and small-business properties.
• Lenders, insurers, contractors, local governments, and community organizations that may partner with or refer applicants to the program.
• Communities vulnerable to wildfire risk.

Context ​

The program depends on legislative appropriations or eligible federal or private funds.