Thousands of dollars in grants are now available to low-to-moderate-income residents in Seattle who want to retrofit their homes against earthquakes, through a new program backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The $1-million Home Retrofit Grant program grants up to $5,000 per household for seismic improvements such as bolting a building to its foundation, reinforcing walls and securing water heaters.
"Today, we are working to make Seattle the most prepared city in the nation, whether we're talking about terrorism or natural disasters," said Mayor Greg Nickels in announcing the program late last month. He recalls being on the 43rd floor of downtown's Columbia Tower when the 6.8-magnitude Nisqually Quake hit on Feb. 28, 2001. "We must be ready when disaster strikes.... The Nisqually earthquake was our wakeup call."
Seattle, where an estimated 125,000 houses still need seismic retrofitting, is one of just a handful of cities in the nation participating in the grant programs. Only about 600 Seattle home-owners, however, have either hired contractors to make the needed improvements or done it themselves.
That concerns Brenda Sevilla, the grant program's field inspector, who determines whether residents qualify for the funds.
"All of us have car insurance, and we understand the need for health insurance. We don't wait until we're bleeding to try and buy some," Sevilla said. "Eventually, the next big earthquake is going to happen - we just don't when.
"I don't know anyone who can say, if their house falls apart, they have another one to go to," she said.
Sevilla serves as the program's primary contact for homeowners through-out the entire granting process: applying for the money, gaining program approval and, finally, closing a case once retrofitting work is completed. That includes coordinating documentation between FEMA and the three city agencies that implement the program: the Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Planning and Development and Human Services Department.
"I realize what I'm doing is so important," said Sevilla, who visits upwards of five houses each day. "So many people I talk to tell me, 'I've been thinking about this [retrofitting] for a long time, but we don't have the means.'"
Sevilla admits that HRG money is limited. That's one of the reasons she encourages residents to find out about the grant program. "If we can show FEMA there's a real need here, we can build a strong case for addi-tional funds."
But the federal grant program isn't the only place residents can go for retrofitting help. The Regional Home Retrofit Program, launched in 1998, offers free home-retrofit infor-mation clinics and in-depth classes for homeowners and contractors through-out the Puget Sound area. It also provides home-retrofit plans and materials and expedites permit processes. After attending a class, homeowners may choose to perform their own retrofit or hire one of several specially trained contracting outfits.
Roger Faris, a former contractor who is now one of Seattle's foremost experts on earthquake retrofitting, says a lot has been learned about how structures react to quakes. One of the most eye-opening experiences was the 1994 Northridge Quake in Southern California.
"That was shocking," Faris said, "because that quake caused so much structural damage ... in an area that was supposed to be up to earthquake standards." Since then, he added, scientists have learned much more about how quakes move - and how to counteract the potential destruction.
Faris estimates he's taught retrofitting techniques and quake safety to about 4,000 people over the years. Homeowners typically attend his classes, "and then a year later, come in to borrow [retrofitting] tools." That proves, he adds, that once people learn the importance of retrofitting, and how much they can do to protect their homes, "they never forget."
Sevilla, who moved to America from the Philippines at age 9, suggests many in Seattle's ethnic communities may feel hesitant to inquire about the city's retrofitting programs because they are either afraid or feel it's inappropriate to ask for help. She assures homeowners she and the rest of the grant program will be sensitive and respectful of any cultural differences.
"I believe it has a lot to do with re-la-tionships, taking the time to build a good rapport," Sevilla said. "The best way to help people is to get to know them ... and once I'm out there and have built a relationship with them, I can ask them what they need, where the gaps are.
"It's important to show people you really care," she said.
More information about Seattle's Home Retrofit Grant program is available by calling Brenda Sevilla at 684-0567. Information about additional retrofitting resources is also available over the Internet at www.seattle.gov/projectimpact.
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