From CNBC: 2025-03-27 18:55:00

KB Home unveils first “wildfire-resilient” community in Escondido, CA, with 64 single-family homes meeting wildfire resilience standards set by IBHS. Homes include non-combustible materials, defensible space, and metal fencing. Prices range from $1M to low millions. Climate change shifts focus to fire-resistant homes as California faces severe drought.

KB Home’s new community aims to provide affordable safety for first-time buyers. Palisades Fire showcased the importance of fire-resistant homes. While progress has been made on a home-by-home basis, KB Home’s development is the first big production builder to design and build a neighborhood to meet wildfire-prepared standards.

CEO of IBHS, Roy Wright, sees KB Home’s project as a test bed to demonstrate fire-resilient homes. The goal is to build homes that are survivable and insurable in California, where insurance costs are soaring due to companies pulling out. While the homes are fire-resilient, changes in landscaping and design are necessary to reduce risks.



Read more at CNBC: KB Home unveils its first ‘fire-resilient’ community in California