Los Angeles, CA — Survivors of recent Southern California wildfires received vital recovery resources during a Feb. 6 webinar hosted by Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE) in partnership with the California State Treasurer and the Los Angeles County Assessor.
The event brought together representatives from government agencies, nonprofits and financial institutions to offer information on financial assistance, housing support, legal aid and more.
The session included a heartfelt testimony from Johnny Kamon, a longtime Altadena resident who lost his home in the fires.
“I haven’t really slept,” Kamon said. “I’ve been exhausted every day, looking for answers. But last night, I went to my first in-person help community, and I found the resources and experts I needed.”
He described how he connected with independent adjusters, a wildfire attorney and real estate brokers to navigate his recovery.
Kamon, a Japanese-American, also highlighted the impact on the Asian-American community.
“Not only was my home destroyed, but so was my Buddhist temple, which was part of our Japanese American church,” he said. “Please be intentional in including the API community in your advocacy efforts.”
Multiple financial assistance programs were introduced to help survivors with immediate and long-term recovery. State programs are offering grants up to $340,000 and low-interest loans of up to $100,000 with deferred payments for one year.
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang offered clarity on property tax relief options:
“For homes damaged or destroyed, you can qualify for a disaster calamity reassessment, which reduces your property’s assessed value,” Prang said. “If your home was surrounded by damage, you may qualify for a decline-in-value assessment.”
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched a Small Business Recovery Fund, providing grants of up to $25,000 for businesses and $2,000 for affected workers.
Community organizations are also stepping in to provide financial relief. The Jewish Free Loan Agency offers zero-interest loans up to $50,000, while Banner Bank announced zero-interest personal loans up to $15,000 with no fees.
Several banks, including City National Bank and Wells Fargo, are providing down payment assistance grants to help displaced renters transition to homeownership.
Temporary housing solutions and mortgage support were among the key topics covered. The Red Cross is operating shelters in West Hollywood and Pasadena, while also providing financial assistance to survivors based on household size.
Amy Bach from United Policyholders emphasized the importance of survivor advocacy.
“There’s a misconception that FEMA assistance is only for homeowners. That is not true,” Bach said. “Renters should apply, and if FEMA denies you, remember that every FEMA decision is appealable.”
She encouraged survivors to join their Survivor-to-Survivor program, which connects wildfire victims with peers who have navigated similar losses.
Banks have introduced forbearance programs to help homeowners struggling with mortgage payments.
First Citizens Bank and Honey Bank are offering 90-day mortgage payment deferrals with possible extensions based on individual needs.
Wells Fargo is providing no negative credit reporting during the forbearance period, along with a $10,000 homebuyer assistance grant for survivors seeking to purchase homes in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Down payment assistance programs were highlighted as a path to homeownership for renters who lost their residences.
Banner Bank offers 1% and 0% down payment options for qualified buyers, while City National Bank is providing up to $50,000 in down payment assistance through its Ladder-Up grant program.
Legal support and insurance navigation are critical for wildfire survivors. Nonprofit organization Bet Tzedek is offering free legal services to help survivors review insurance documents, commercial leases and Small Business Administration (SBA) loan agreements.
Bet Tzedek also provides assistance to homeowners navigating insurance claims and disputes.
“We are providing free legal services for small business owners and homeowners,” said Nadia Segura Alvarez from Bet Tzedek. “We help review commercial leases, insurance documents and SBA loan agreements.
United Policyholders, a nonprofit specializing in disaster recovery, shared resources to help survivors maximize their insurance claims and navigate FEMA assistance.
The organization stressed the importance of appealing denied claims and advised survivors to keep detailed records of all repair estimates and expenses.
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang outlined property tax relief programs for homeowners affected by the fires. The county is offering disaster calamity reassessments, which reduce property taxes for damaged or destroyed properties.
Homeowners may also qualify for a decline-in-value reassessment if their property’s value dropped due to surrounding damage.
Prang warned attendees about scams targeting disaster survivors, advising them not to pay third parties for property tax relief services. The application process is free through the county assessor’s office.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) clarified that both renters and homeowners are eligible for assistance, dispelling a common misconception.
FEMA stressed the importance of meeting the March 9 deadline for both FEMA aid and SBA disaster loans. Survivors were advised to answer calls from unknown numbers, as they could be from FEMA inspectors verifying damage claims.
FEMA also encouraged survivors to appeal if they feel their aid is insufficient, noting that appeals require supporting documentation, such as detailed repair estimates from contractors.
The California Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) introduced resources specifically for businesses affected by the fires.
OSBA’s disaster webpage offers information on nearby recovery centers, grant opportunities and loan programs.
Additionally, OSBA provides disaster preparedness training to help businesses build resilience for future challenges.
DEO announced the launch of a business-to-business space-sharing platform, which offers free office space to displaced business owners through shared workspace arrangements.
Banks also pledged to work with survivors individually, emphasizing flexibility in forbearance extensions and loan modifications.
