Colfax approves services agreement for FEMA-funded home-hardening program

Colfax — The Colfax City Council on March 12 approved a services agreement with 4 Leaf, Inc., a construction management firm, to administer a FEMA-funded home-hardening and defensible-space program intended for the city’s single-family, duplex/triplex and mobile-home properties.

The agreement covers work to implement a $6,200,000 FEMA grant that project representatives told the council is intended to reduce wildfire risk on dozens of homes in Colfax. Mike Lukin, 4 Leaf’s presenter, said the firm will provide a turnkey program that includes environmental review, homeowner outreach and construction management. “We’re excited to get going with the FEMA Home Hardening Project,” Lukin said during the council meeting.

Why this matters: Council members and staff emphasized the program’s potential to reduce wildfire vulnerability after the River Fire by funding measures such as roofing, siding, vent screening and defensible-space work. The council approved the services agreement to begin grant implementation and allow staff and the contractor to begin the environmental and outreach work required by FEMA and the state Office of Emergency Services (OES).

Key details: Project staff said the grant is structured so FEMA pays 90% of eligible construction costs and…