Resident Grant Program
Overview
Ventura Regional FSC offers opportunities to assist Ventura County residents in need with expenses and work related to wildfire safety improvements to their homes. Specifically, for eligible applicants, defensible space clearance and home modifications and retrofits can be offered at no cost to the resident. Applications are reviewed based on a number of factors, including but not limited to wildfire risk, presence of physical and/or financial barriers, veteran status, and effectiveness of the mitigations VRFSC is able to offer.
The current iteration of the program, called Neighborhood Resilience Funding (NeRF), is designed to target whole neighborhoods for wildfire resilience, maximizing the effort that grant funding can provide. See program information below.
Note: Taking advantage of these services will not guarantee your home survives a wildfire; evidence-based mitigations are offered in efforts to reduce overall risk. We hope to encourage residents to take a proactive stance on preparing and preventing wildfire disasters.
Neighborhood Resilience Funding (NERF)
Neighborhood-scale retrofits currently serving "The Oaks" Neighborhood in Santa Paula, CA
Let us upgrade your home,
and downgrade your wildfire risk...
At no cost to you!
Wildfire resilience is a community effort. The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council is partnering with licensed contractors to provide subsidized home hardening retrofits for eligible homes within the designated project area in Santa Paula, known as "The Oaks" neighborhood. Participants can receive wildfire safety improvements without any out-of-pocket cost, thanks to grant funding and program support.
Space is limited, and homeowners are encouraged to apply once enrollment opens.
WHO IS ELEGIBLE?
Eligible participants include homeowners, property owners, renters, and other residents located within the project area who have — or can obtain — permission to complete wildfire mitigation work on the property. Limited grant funding is available, so the program eligibility area consists of: properties east of Ojai Road, adjacent to or south of Oakdale Pl/Forest Dr/Cliff Dr, and adjacent to or north of Say Rd.
WHAT WORK IS INCLUDED?
The program will provide wildfire mitigation improvements including Home Hardening retrofits and Defensible Space Zone 0 treatments designed to reduce a property’s vulnerability to ember ignition and wildfire spread. Specifically, this work will include vent screen upgrades, noncombustible fence/gate replacement in Zone 0, and vegetation removal in Zone 0. These retrofits will vary based on the needs of a specific home, wildfire risk and contractor availability.
HOW DOES THIS HELP WITH WILDFIRES?
Watch the video to learn more about how embers lead to home loss during wildfires!
The project area contains many older homes located within High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, making proactive wildfire mitigation especially important for protecting residents, structures, and surrounding neighborhoods. Vent screen upgrades will be provided to prevent ember intrustion, and flammable material in Zone 0 will be reduced to reduce the likelihood of the material catching the structure ablaze.
By building resilience within this at-risk neighborhood, the program helps to create a safer buffer for other areas of Santa Paula during future wildfire events.
WHY "THE OAKS" IN SANTA PAULA?
The Oaks neighborhood in Santa Paula has been selected to receive services through this VRFSC pilot program due to its high wildfire risk and vulnerability. This work is guided by a data-driven vulnerability mapping process incorporating wildfire hazard severity, WUI designation, socioeconomic indicators, and structure density.
VRFSC plans to make neighborhood-scale retrofits available to additional high-risk neighborhoods throughout Ventura County as grant funding becomes available. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when future opportunities become available!
Eligibility must be confirmed, restrictions may apply. Services provided to eligible residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
Zoom Information Session
Monday June 29th, 5:30pm - 6:00pm on ZOOM
Stay tuned while we try to get another one on the books!
Funding Sources
Partial funding provided by a grant from the Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison, through the California Fire Safe Council.
