California officials announced a new $100 million mortgage assistance program Thursday to help homeowners whose properties were destroyed or left uninhabitable by recent natural disasters, including the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that swept through Los Angeles County.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund will provide grants of up to $20,000 or three months of mortgage payments to qualifying homeowners, with funds that never need to be repaid. The program represents the latest effort by state officials to support communities recovering from disasters that destroyed more than 6,300 homes in last year's fires alone.
"We have already provided more than $2.5 million for immediate disaster relief. We've slashed red tape to accelerate rebuilding," said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. "And today, we are adding $100 million in mortgage assistance to continue our efforts to support survivors in this devastating time."
The announcement comes as California continues grappling with the aftermath of multiple natural disasters. The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed more than 6,300 homes and damaged an additional 1,500 structures, including businesses, resulting in millions of dollars in damages across the region.
Applications for the mortgage relief program will open June 12 at www.CalAssistMortgageFund.org, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding. The program is designed to provide what officials call a "financial bridge to recovery" for displaced families struggling with mortgage payments while their homes remain uninhabitable or destroyed.
To qualify, homeowners must have had their primary residence destroyed or made uninhabitable by a qualified disaster occurring between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 8, 2025. Eligible disasters include the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and the Park Fire that affected Butte, Tehama and Plumas counties. Applicants must also meet program income limits and have a mortgage or reverse mortgage on a single-family home, condominium, or permanently affixed manufactured home with up to four units.
"It's a beacon of hope, something that I know many in this area are looking for," said Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor for the fifth district. "The new mortgage grant program will bring much needed support."
The grants will be paid directly to mortgage servicers and can be combined with other assistance programs. Officials emphasized that applications are free to submit and that the program aims to minimize bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund operates under the California Housing Finance Agency's broader initiative to help Californians rebuild with minimal complications. State officials have previously implemented measures including expedited rebuilding processes, temporary housing solutions, tenant protections, and safeguards against price gouging and predatory land speculation.
Beyond individual homeowner support, officials described the program as part of strengthening community resilience across California, which faces increasing wildfire and natural disaster risks. The state has already distributed more than $2.5 million in immediate disaster relief to affected communities.
Officials said the mortgage assistance program reflects California's ongoing commitment to supporting residents through recovery efforts, officials said. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters across the state, programs like CalAssist represent evolving approaches to disaster recovery and community support.
Homeowners interested in applying should visit the program website beginning June 12. Due to the limited funding pool and first-come, first-served application process, officials encourage eligible residents to apply promptly once the application period opens.
The program joins a growing suite of state and local initiatives designed to help California communities recover from increasingly frequent natural disasters while building long-term resilience against future events.
