The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced on Apr. 6 the launch of RISE Homes, a $50 million statewide initiative designed to help homeowners and rental property owners affected by natural disasters rebuild their homes using energy-efficient, all-electric technologies.
The program addresses the needs of approximately 37,000 Californians whose properties have been damaged or destroyed by events such as wildfires, storms, floods, and earthquakes since 2017. By supporting reconstruction with cleaner and safer technologies, CPUC aims to enhance resilience while advancing the state’s climate goals.
RISE Homes provides financial incentives for rebuilding residential buildings that have been red-tagged or deemed uninhabitable due to natural disasters. The program covers various housing types—including single-family homes, multifamily units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), modular homes, and manufactured homes—and offers higher incentive levels for low-income eligible customers. Participants can also combine RISE funding with other programs like the California Electric Homes Program (CalEHP). “We’re really excited to see this program launch,” said Nick Zanjani, Energy Division’s Building Decarbonization Section Supervisor. “In addition to helping families rebuild in a climate-friendly and resilient manner, this program goes a step further by also incentivizing Passive House new construction, an innovative building method that has been shown to dramatically improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. What we learn from this program will shape the future of new construction in very real ways.”
The initiative includes dedicated support staff who assist applicants throughout the rebuilding process—from navigating insurance claims and permitting requirements to connecting them with qualified contractors and additional state incentives. Pre-approved home designs are available through RISE Homes to speed up permitting processes and lower costs for disaster survivors.
Equity participants—such as those living in Disadvantaged Communities or qualifying for income-based utility programs—are eligible for increased incentives: fifty percent higher financial support levels plus benefits like first-year homeowners insurance premiums covered by the program, induction-compatible cookware sets, and energy resiliency kits.
With these efforts, CPUC seeks not only to provide immediate relief but also foster long-term affordability through high-efficiency appliances while improving air quality in line with emissions reduction targets. The commission describes itself as a dedicated partner in helping Californians recover from natural disasters while building toward a more resilient future.
