EMERGENCY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES – LAHD

EMERGENCY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES

The City of Los Angeles continues to aggressively respond to the wildfires in LA. Thousands of firefighters and first responders are working around the clock to save lives and protect property. Up-to-date information and resources are available here.

Local Assistance and Disaster Resource Centers for Angelenos affected by the wildfires are open daily beginning Tuesday, January 14th at 1PM. With support from FEMA and the state, the City and County are partnering to open local assistance and disaster resource centers, a one-stop shop where Angelenos can ask questions, obtain assistance, recovery services, and resources. Resources will be available for the foreseeable future and residents will be able to access these resources for the next several weeks. Learn more.

Westside:

UCLA Research Park (formerly Westside Pavilion)

10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064

Open daily from 9AM to 8PM

N95 masks are available for the public at all LAPL locations while supplies last. Visit lapl.org/branches for hours and updates. Emergency information and resources can be found at lapl.org/be-ready.

Financial Assistance

FEMA assistance is available for both homeowners and renters affected by the wildfires:

Special Needs Assistance Grants: $770 one-time payment to afford immediate needs like food, water, hygiene, and transportation.
FEMA Individual Assistance – For Housing: The maximum amount a homeowner can receive through the FEMA Individual Assistance grant program for home repair and replacement, and for temporary housing, is up to $43,600.
FEMA Individual Assistance – For Other Needs: Another $43,600 is available in the form of a grant from FEMA to cover medical expenses, damage to a vehicle, household items/property, funeral expenses, moving/storage, and childcare expenses, etc.

Learn more and apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov.

Loss or Destruction of a Rental Unit

If a rental unit is completely destroyed, the lease no longer applies. The tenant does not owe future rent and will need to find a new place to live. Landlords must return any security deposit within three weeks. If tenants had already paid the January rent, the landlord should pro-rate and return the tenant’s rent for the remainder of January.

Price Gouging

Price gouging is illegal during a State of Emergency. On January 7th, California Gov. Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to the extreme wind and fire conditions. During a State of Emergency, price gouging above 10% is temporarily prohibited for the next 30 days. (Penal Code 396(e) and (f)). This means that businesses cannot increase the price of food, repairs, construction, housing, emergency and medical supplies, and gasoline more than 10%. This also includes rent increases, as well as hikes in hotel and motel prices for evacuees who are seeking emergency housing. Rental property owners across the state should note that price-gouging protections apply wherever displacement increases demand for housing. Price gouging is subject to criminal prosecution, and can result in one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. The rent cap protections under the current state of emergency for the Palisades Fire is in effect though February 6, 2025, unless further extended by Governor Newsom or Mayor Bass.

Dial 3-1-1 to report illegally hiked rents and prices, or email att.pricegougingtaskforce@lacity.org.

Learn more about price gouging.

Housing Discrimination

Tenants are protected from discrimination in housing – even in an emergency. Federal, state, and local fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, religion, source of income, immigration status and more. These protections also apply in short term housing, like motels, hotels, and emergency shelters. Local and state disaster relief and services are available regardless of immigration status. To report housing discrimination, contact the Housing Rights Center at 800-477-5977.

HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES

Temporary Housing

Temporary housing for those affected by the fires:

Transitional Shelter Assistance is available through FEMA at disasterassistance.gov.
A list of hotels providing shelter and supplies is available at bit.ly/LAFireHotelAvailability.

Evacuation Shelters

Text “SHELTER” to 43362 and enter your zip code for more information.

For a full list of evacuation shelters and air quality relief centers, please visit: laparks.org/emergency.

Accessibility at Evacuation Sites

The City of Los Angeles ensures that all evacuation sites are accessible to people with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication and equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Service animals are allowed at all evacuation sites. On-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for languages other than English, including American Sign Language, is available at all locations. For accessibility services at emergency support sites, residents can contact emd.dafn@lacity.org, call 311, or notify any staff member on-site to make a request.

Transportation

Metro is providing free rides while wildfire conditions persist, ensuring residents can travel safely. Learn more.

If you need to evacuate and need transportation assistance, call:

- 9-1-1 if you are under evacuation order
- 2-1-1 if you are not under evacuation order

Permanent Housing

Find affordable and accessible housing listings online.

City of Los Angeles: lahousing.lacity.org

For help, call (213) 808-8550 or email lahd.achp@lacity.org.

Los Angeles County: housing.lacounty.gov.

For help, call 1-877-428-8844 or email info@myhousingsearch.com.

Mobile/Manufactured Housing

For information relating to mobile or manufactured homes please view this informational page.

Apartment Owners of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA)

For information and listings of available housing and discounts through the Greater Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA), including free credit screenings for fire victims, please visit their information page and apartment listings at aagla .org/listings.

CITY SERVICES

Housing Violations

Report housing violations for occupied units to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). LAHD is responsible for investigating complaints about unsafe living conditions and code violations at multifamily rental properties within the City of Los Angeles. File a Code complaint and let an inspector assess the situation by calling (866) 557-7368 or online at housingapp.lacity.org/ReportViolation.
For single family homes and vacant and damaged buildings, report violations to the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).

City of LA Harassment by Landlord Complaints

Tenants can file a harassment complaint with LAHD by calling (866) 557-7368 or online. Tenants can also file a complaint with the LAPD if the landlord locks the tenant out or cuts off the utilities.

Utility Issues

Report downed power lines by calling 9-1-1.
Report downed trees and other non-life-threatening hazards by calling 3-1-1 or online at MyLA311.lacity.org.
Report outages or any downed power lines immediately by calling LADWP at 1-800-342-5397.
If you suspect a natural gas leak, evacuate the area immediately and contact SoCal Gas from a safe location by calling 1-800-427-2200. Available 24/7

Animal Services Hotline

If you have lost your pets due to the wildfires and are needing assistance to find them, please call the Los Angeles FIRE Evacuation Animal Services Hotline at 213-270-8155 and leave the requested information about your pet and your contact number. Learn more at laanimalservices.com/palisades-fire.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Small Business Administration loans are available for homeowners and renters.

SBA loans can cover up to $100,000 of personal property loss (i.e., furniture, clothing, automobiles) and up to $500,000 of a homeowner’s real property loss (i.e., home repair).
Second homes and vacation homes are not eligible.
Loans are for up to 30 years with a maximum interest rate of 4%.
First payment and interest accrual are deferred for the first 12 months.

Apply for SBA assistance.

Employment Development Department

EDD helps people and businesses in California who have been affected by disasters.

If you lost your job or can’t work because of a disaster, you may qualify for unemployment, disability, or Paid Family Leave benefits.

If the president of the United States declares a disaster, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may also be available for workers and self-employed people who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

For more information, visit EDD Disaster-Related Services.

Insurance Claims

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, while serving as state senator, authored Senate Bill 824 (2018). This important consumer protection law requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain areas within or adjacent to a fire perimeter after a declared state of emergency is issued by the Governor. Learn more.

The California Department of Insurance is available to assist affected Angelenos as they begin working with insurance agents or brokers. Call 1-800-927-4357 to ask questions about insurance coverage and/or disputes with insurance agencies.

Replacing Documents

LA County residents directly impacted by fires can request property and vital records (i.e., birth, death, marriage) free of charge to help with recovery efforts. Call 800-201-8999 (Option 1 followed by Option 2) or Email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov

Childcare

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is opening its locations that aren’t affected by the fires for temporary shelter, showers, basic amenities, and mental health support. They have also teamed up with L.A. Unified School District to provide childcare services for essential workers and affected families until schools reopen. Register on their website.

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