EMERGENCY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES – LAHD

EMERGENCY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRES

For city of Los Angeles Palisades Fire recovery and rebuilding resources and information, please visit Recovery.LACity.gov.

Learn more about LA’s Renter Protections here.

Print/download LAHD’s information flyer in English and Spanish.

Disaster Recovery Center

Angelenos impacted by the fires can receive help navigating City, County, State and Federal assistance programs and services in person at the Disaster Recovery Center, including:

Evacuation area Re-Entry Passes for Palisades residents and authorized contractors.
Help with the FEMA Individual Assistance application process.
Lost vital records, such as birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses and social security documentation
Disaster relief for people with homes and businesses lost or damaged by the fire.
Referrals for mental health counseling and other services.

UCLA Research Park

10850 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

The Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday-Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.

Financial Assistance

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

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

CITY OF LA RENTER PROTECTIONS

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.

Eviction Protections for Tenants Providing Shelter to Angelenos Displaced by the Fires

On January 17th, Governor Newsom issued an executive order that prohibits landlords from using the unlawful detainer process – a legal process landlords use to evict tenants who violate their lease – to evict a tenant for violating a term of their lease that would otherwise prohibit them from sheltering one or more people displaced by the recent emergency. The order does not prohibit landlords from enforcing other lease terms, such as those regarding criminal activity or property damage.

Protections Against Excessive Rent Increases

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass declared a State of Emergency on January 7, 2025 in response to the Palisades Fire. During a State of Emergency, price gouging above 10% is temporarily prohibited (Penal Code 396(e) and (f)). This means that, in most circumstances, businesses cannot increase the cost of rent, goods, or services by more than 10%. 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.

Rent Increase Rules

Existing Rentals:
- Rents on existing tenancies in rental units subject to the RSO cannot be increased more than 4% (or 6% if the landlord pays for the electricity and gas), and only if it has been at least 12 months since the last annual rent increase. To find out if your unit is subject to the RSO, visit: zimas.lacity.org. Enter your address, click the Housing tab, and RSO status will be indicated for the property.
- Rents on existing tenancies in rental units subject to the Tenant Protections Act of 2019 (AB 1482) cannot be increased more than 8.9%, and only if it has been at least 12 months since the last annual rent increase.
New Rentals:
- After an emergency is declared, landlords cannot increase rental housing prices by more than 10% of the previous price. For rental housing that hasn’t been rented or advertised before, the rental price cannot be more than 160% of the fair market value set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Short-Term Rentals: For short-term rentals like VRBO or Airbnb, daily rates cannot be increased by more than 10% after an emergency is declared. If these short-term rentals switch to full-time or monthly rentals after the declaration, the rental price cannot exceed 160% of the fair market value.

State, County, and local tenant protections remain in place and in some instances may be more restrictive or protective than price gouging protections.

Prohibited Practices

Landlords cannot justify an unlawful price increase by offering extra services like gardening, cleaning, or utilities, or by offering a shorter lease term.
Landlords cannot charge a higher rate just because an insurance company is willing to pay it.
The law considers it a separate misdemeanor for a landlord to evict tenants just to re-rent the property at a higher price.

Report Price Gouging

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

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

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

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.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

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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