The challenge: Wildfire risk turns up the heat on insurance.
Woodside Homes, an innovative builder known for future-focused communities, faced a major challenge while planning Wayfare Station, a 151-unit development in Santa Clarita, CA. As wildfire risks surged across the region, the insurance landscape shifted dramatically, reducing the number of willing insurers from seven to two. Worse, the two remaining insurers increased initial premium estimates tenfold.
The skyrocketing cost of insurance put the entire project at risk. Potential homebuyers would no longer be able to afford the combined mortgage and insurance payments, forcing Woodside to pause construction for over a year while it reevaluated options. Without a solution, the development faced potential collapse.
The solution: Fighting fire with innovation.
Facing a stalled project and potential losses, Woodside Homes turned to an innovative solution—Frontline Wildfire Defense. By integrating Frontline’s exterior wildfire sprinkler system into every structure, Woodside significantly reduced the wildfire risk at Wayfare Station, making the homes insurable once again.
Not only did Frontline’s system help address the insurance dilemma, but it also aligned with Woodside’s broader mission of building homes that prioritize family safety and sustainability. The wildfire defense system became a critical feature that allowed the project to resume, positioning Wayfare Station as a leader in fire resilience.
“At Woodside Homes, our mission is to build spaces where families can thrive,” said AJ Jarvis, Southern California Division President of Woodside Homes. “Frontline’s system enabled us to move forward in a way that ensures the safety of our future residents while maintaining the financial viability of the community. We’re proud to be setting a new standard in wildfire protection.”
The outcome: A fire-ready community that’s sparking interest.
Thanks to the integration of Frontline’s wildfire defense system, Wayfare Station is now back on track and under construction. Woodside Homes not only solved the insurance challenge but also gained a competitive edge by offering a unique selling point: enhanced wildfire protection. No other nearby communities provide this level of safety, giving Wayfare Station a significant advantage in the market.
Future homeowners can now enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their investment is protected from wildfire risks. The Frontline system allowed Woodside to continue its mission of building healthy, resilient homes, while also making the homes more affordable for buyers.
For Frontline, this project represents a significant step forward in the company’s mission to protect entire communities from wildfire disasters. “We are proud to collaborate with builders like Woodside, who understand the importance of resilience in modern homebuilding,” said the CEO of Frontline. “Our system empowers communities to live in harmony with nature’s processes, even in high-risk areas.”
A new standard: Building homes that thrive, even in fire country.
The collaboration between Woodside Homes and Frontline sets a new precedent for the future of homebuilding in wildfire-prone areas. By incorporating cutting-edge wildfire protection systems, builders can ensure that communities remain safe, insurable, and affordable, despite the growing risks of climate change.
Woodside’s commitment to creating homes that not only look beautiful but also protect their residents reflects their core values of innovation, sustainability, and family-first living. Together, these partners have shown that when faced with the realities of a changing climate, forward-thinking solutions can enable communities like Wayfare Station to thrive.