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LA Wildfire Resources, January 2025
LA Wildfire Resources, January 2025

Key resources available for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the January 2025 LA wildfires.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

If you’ve been impacted by the LA wildfires, the following resources provide critical support for food, shelter, financial aid, and more. Use this guide to navigate available assistance programs and services.

Federal Resources

  1. FEMA

    • Services: Temporary shelter, disaster financial aid, food assistance through D-SNAP.

    • Apply Online: www.fema.gov

    • Contact: 1-800-621-3362
      ​

  2. Small Business Administration (SBA)


State Resources

  1. California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

    • Services: Emergency food programs, financial assistance, D-SNAP, and CalFresh options.

    • Website: www.cdss.ca.gov
      ​

  2. California Volunteers

  3. California Fire Foundation


Local Support – Los Angeles County Resources

  1. Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities

    • Services: Information and support for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

    • Website: ad.lacounty.gov

    • Contact: (213) 291-0028
      ​

  2. Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control

  3. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

    • Services: Counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health referrals.

    • Website: dmh.lacounty.gov

    • Contact: (800) 854-7771
      ​

  4. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

  5. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

    • Services: Guidelines for safe cleanup, food safety, and public health services.

    • Website: publichealth.lacounty.gov

    • Contact Public Health Infoline: (833) 540-0473

    • Contact Environmental Health: (888) 700-9995, (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm)

  6. Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs

  7. Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services

    • Services: Disaster assistance to families through the General Relief, CalWorks, CalFresh and MediCal programs.

    • Website: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en.html

    • Contact: DPSS Customer Service (866) 613-3777 (M-F 7:30am - 6:30pm)

    • Contact: IHSS Helpline (888) 822-9622 (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm)

  8. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

    • Services: Guidelines for safe cleanup, food safety, and public health services.

    • Website: publichealth.lacounty.gov

    • Contact: (833) 540-0473

  9. Property Tax Relief (LA County Assessor’s Office)

    • Eligibility: For properties damaged or destroyed by fire or flooding.

    • Website: LA Assessor Disaster Relief

    • Contact: (213) 974-8658 (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm)
      ​

  10. Child Support Assistance (LA County Department of Child Support Services)

    • Services: Support for those who lost income due to the fires.

    • Website: cssd.lacounty.gov

    • Contact: (866) 901-3212 (M-F 7:00am - 5:00pm)
      ​

  11. Financial Support and Loans (LA County Department of Economic Opportunity)

    • Services: Technical assistance, legal aid, grants, and access to capital for small businesses.

    • Website: Opportunity.lacounty.gov

  12. Property Tax Relief (LA County Department of Treasurer Tax Collector)

  13. LA County Department of Regional Planning

    • Services: Provides long-range planning, land development counseling, project/case intake and processing, environmental review and zoning enforcement review and zoning for properties in unincorporated LA County.

    • Website: http://planning.lacounty.gov

    • Contact: (213) 974-6411 (M-F 7:00am - 11:00am)
      ​

Non-Profit and Community Support

  1. Red Cross of California

    • Services: Emergency shelters, meals, and disaster relief.

    • Website: www.redcross.org
      ​

  2. Greater Los Angeles County American Red Cross

    • Contact: 24-hour intake number (800) 675-5799

  3. Salvation Army

  4. Feeding America (Los Angeles Regional Food Bank)

  5. Airbnb Open Homes Program

    • Services: Free temporary housing for displaced individuals.

    • Website: www.airbnb.org

  6. United Way of California

  7. Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA)

    • Services: Humanitarian relief, disaster recovery, and long-term assistance.

    • Website: ENLA Disaster Support

  8. Tzu Chi Foundation

  9. United Policy Holders

Additional Assistance

  1. CLEAN LA

    • Services: Recovery services provided to County Unincorporated Residents and Businesses impacted by this incident.

    • Website: www.CleanLA.com

    • Contact: (888) CLEANLA (M-F, 7:00am-5:00pm)

  2. Office of Small Business

    • Contact: (844) 432-4900 (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm)

  3. America's Job Centers

    • Contact: (888) 226-6300 (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm)

  4. Building and Safety Assistance

  5. 211 LA

    • Services: Up-to-date information on shelters, food, and resources.

    • Website: www.211.org

  6. GoFundMe

    • Services: Search for Palisades Fire relief campaigns to donate or seek financial support.

    • Website: GoFundMe Fire Relief

Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

Federal disaster funding is available to assist with temporary accommodations, home repairs, uninsured property losses, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close a purchase without insurance?


Yes, if you are purchasing the property with cash. However, Radius Agent does not recommend closing without insurance.


No, If you are financing the purchase, most lenders require insurance as a condition of the loan.

Can I help with a short-term lease without charging a commission?


Yes, and Radius Agent will NOT charge a commission either, this only applies to victims of the LA fires.


Please note that you will need a complete file that must comply with our internal checklist.

Where can I find temporary housing?


​Services: Free temporary housing for displaced individuals.

Website: www.airbnb.org

What resources are available for displaced persons?


​FEMA

Services: Temporary shelter, disaster financial aid, food assistance through D-SNAP.

Apply Online: www.fema.gov

Contact: 1-800-621-3362

What happens if my home is destroyed?


File a claim and provide documentation of the damage (photos, videos, and an inventory of lost items).

Can I still sell my damaged property?


Yes, some options are below.

  • Selling as-is: You can sell to investors or buyers willing to handle repairs.

  • Repairing before selling: If feasible, making repairs can increase the value and attract more buyers.

  • Disclosing damage: You must legally disclose all known damage to potential buyers.

What should I do if my insurance does not fully cover my damages

  • Negotiate with your insurer: Provide additional evidence or hire a public adjuster to advocate for you.

  • Explore other funding: Consider disaster recovery loans, grants, or community assistance programs.

  • Seek legal advice: If the insurer denies or underpays your claim unfairly, consult a lawyer specializing in insurance disputes.

What should I look for in a new home to prevent future fire damage?

  • Defensible space: Look for properties with clear perimeters free of flammable vegetation.

  • Fire-resistant materials: Homes built with metal roofs, stucco, or fiber-cement siding are less likely to ignite.

  • Updated fire codes: Ensure the property complies with the latest fire safety regulations.

Do I need to disclose fire damage if I sell my house?


Yes, California law requires sellers to disclose any material facts about the property, including past fire damage and repairs. Failing to do so can result in legal consequences.

How do I handle property taxes on a damaged home?

Request reassessment: File a claim with your county assessor to have your property value reassessed based on the damage.

Can I defer my mortgage payments if my home is unlivable?


Yes, many lenders offer options such as:

  1. Forbearance: Temporary suspension or reduction of mortgage payments.

  2. Loan modification: Adjustments to your loan terms to reduce monthly payments.

  3. Contact your lender: Notify them promptly and inquire about disaster relief programs.

Are there any incentives for rebuilding with fire-resistant materials?


Yes, you may be eligible for:

  1. Government grants or rebates: Programs like FEMA or state incentives encourage fire-safe construction.

  2. Insurance discounts: Some insurers offer reduced premiums for fire-resistant features.

  3. Local initiatives: Check for city or county programs that provide financial support for using fire-resistant materials in rebuilding.

What effect will this have on the real estate market in LA?

  • Decrease in Demand: Buyers may hesitate to purchase properties in fire-affected or nearby areas due to perceived risks.

  • Value Fluctuations: Properties in fire zones may see a temporary drop in value, while unaffected areas could experience increased demand and higher prices.

  • Insurance- Insuring properties in fire zones or nearby fire zones will be even more challenging.

Rising Premiums:

  • Insurers are expected to increase premiums for properties in high-risk areas, potentially making ownership less affordable.

Policy Availability:

  • Some insurers may limit coverage or stop underwriting new policies in fire-prone areas altogether, forcing homeowners to rely on state-run FAIR Plans (which are often more expensive and provide limited coverage).

Educating Clients:

  • Help clients understand their insurance options and recommend they reassess their policies to ensure adequate coverage.

Did this answer your question?