California’s $105 million mortgage assistance fund opens today, offering vital support to disaster victims, including those affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires and other recent calamities. The program, managed by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), provides grants of up to $20,000 to help cover mortgage payments for up to three months.
The initiative targets residents whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by disasters that received state or federal emergency declarations since January 2023.
This includes victims of the 2023 winter storms, Tropical Storm Hillary, and five other California wildfires. According to the Orange County Register, Rebecca Franklin, CalHFA’s chief deputy director, emphasized that the grants are non-repayable, stating, “You don’t have to pay this money back. It’s a grant.”
To qualify for the program, applicants must earn no more than the median income in their counties, which is $140,700 in Los Angeles County, $137,150 in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and $180,300 in Orange County. The grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications available at www.CalAssistMortgageFund.org or by calling 1-800-501-0019.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger described the program as “a beacon of hope” for displaced residents, highlighting the financial strain many face. The program is expected to assist approximately 8,750 Californians, assuming an average mortgage payment of $4,000 per month.
Despite the limited reach, the relief offers a crucial lifeline to those struggling with mortgage payments on uninhabitable homes while also paying rent for temporary housing. The program is paired with an additional $25 million for mortgage counseling, ensuring comprehensive support for those affected.
Governor Gavin Newsom first proposed the mortgage relief program months ago, and it will not impact the state’s proposed 2025-26 budget.
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