(IMAGN) Jan 16, 2025; Altadena, CA, USA; The remains of St. Mark?s Episcopal church and school in Altadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY
Los Angeles, California – Even after losing their homes, many Californians displaced by wildfires are still facing monthly mortgage bills. However, a new state initiative aims to provide short-term financial relief for those struggling to rebuild.
On Thursday, the California Housing Finance Agency announced the launch of the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, a $105 million grant program designed to help wildfire survivors manage their mortgage payments. Eligible homeowners can apply for up to three months of assistance, capped at $20,000. The grants do not require repayment.
The California Housing Finance Agency is aiming the program at those whose primary residences were destroyed in state-declared disasters between January 1, 2023, and January 8, 2025. That includes high-profile incidents like the 2024 Park Fire, Hurricane Hilary in 2023, and this year’s Eaton and Palisades fires. In hard-hit neighborhoods like Altadena, where homes were lost and families displaced, the financial strain continues to mount.
Applications for CalAssist open June 12 at CalAssistMortgageFund.org. Officials are encouraging homeowners affected by the disaster to prepare documentation in advance, including mortgage statements, bank records, and insurance claims, and to apply early, as grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.
Applicants must meet income thresholds to qualify. In Los Angeles County, the income cap is $140,700 annually, regardless of household size. The money, if approved, will go directly to the applicant’s mortgage servicer. However, only homeowners whose lenders are enrolled in the program are eligible — a list of participating companies is available on the CalAssist website.
Rebecca Franklin, Chief Deputy Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, acknowledged that the online process may feel daunting, especially to those unfamiliar with financial systems. She urged homeowners to call the program’s helpline for assistance and emphasized that housing counselors are available to walk applicants through the process.
The rollout comes as many borrowers are reaching the end of forbearance periods granted after the fires, which temporarily paused payments but did not cancel the debt.
