In January, the LA Fires quickly turned into the most catastrophic natural disaster in state history. The Palisades and Eaton Fires combined to destroy over 16,000 properties, damage an additional 2,000 properties, and tragically claim the lives of 31 individuals. Tens of thousands of lives have been turned upside down, all the while numerous overseeing agencies from every level of government has played a role in the recovery effort.
Senator Allen and Congressman Swalwell tour a neighborhood destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
State Support: Cutting Red Tape
California took quick and decisive action to support survivors and cut bureaucratic red tape that would unnecessarily hamper the effort to rebuild.
- Waived CEQA and Coastal Act permitting requirements to ease reconstruction;
- Supported shelter needs for survivors by streamlining temporary dwellings on private lots;
- Facilitated students ability to return to the classroom outside of their home district.
- Suspended rooftop solar requirements while ensuring insurance proceeds may cover optional solar and code upgrades.
Senator Allen hosts a Fire Recovery Roundtable in February with community leaders.
State Support: Fiscal
The State approved a $2.5 billion relief package before the end of January. The money provided support for sheltering survivors, debris removal and cleanup services, post-fire hazard assessments, building inspections, and school facility repairs.
Senator Allen hosts a Palisades Recovery roundtable event with state and local leaders.
Disaster CalFresh food benefits provided nearly $1,000 for eligible individuals and families to support grocery purchases, and the CalAssist Mortgage Fund was expanded to allow higher income levels in Los Angeles County to qualify for 3 months of mortgage payment assistance.
Senator Allen helped finalize $3.6 million to restore Will Rogers State Beach, and additional funding to backfill lost revenue school districts were facing from displaced students, as well as ensure school districts seeing an influx of students were being made whole.
State Support: Policy
Senator Allen addresses the media during the unveiling of the Golden State Commitment bill package.
The Senate unveiled its Golden State Commitment Package to address a number of recovery priorities alongside Assembly efforts and Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders. Among these efforts, Senator Allen worked alongside LA County Assessor Prang to deliver needed property tax support for damaged properties through SB 663.
Permitting reforms were finalized in October to further streamline review and construction of rebuild projects:
- SB 676 (Limón) expedites CEQA review procedures for projects that maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace wildfire-damaged properties or facilities within an area for which the Governor has declared a State of Emergency anytime after January 1, 2023.
- SB 625 (Wahab) limits an HOA’s authority to delay or block reconstruction of homes destroyed in a disaster over design differences.
- AB 818 (Ávila Farías) accelerates local permitting for the temporary use of manufactured homes, modular homes, or detached ADUs on private lots during reconstruction.
Senator Allen leads a tour through the burn scar with Senate President Pro Tem Emeritus McGuire.
California protected tenants and homeowners, and supported local workforce development:
- AB 299 (Gabriel) allows displaced individuals to stay in hotels, motels, or short-term rentals for prolonged periods of time without be treated as tenants. Delaying tenancy status for 270 consecutive days of occupancy provides greater stability for fire survivors.
- SB 610 (Pérez) expands disaster protections for tenants, mobile home residents, and borrowers by ensuring safe habitability, the right to return at pre-disaster rents, relocation benefits, and rent refund entitlements.
- AB 851 (McKinnor) protects homeowners from predatory buyers by prohibiting unsolicited real estate purchase offers until 2027.
- AB 338 (Solache) allocates critical funding to invest in workforce development strategies and supportive services for under- or unemployed individuals in areas affected by the wildfires.
Governor Newsom also signed a string of executive orders to:
- Safeguard survivors from opportunistic price gouging of short term shelters and construction materials;
- Protect tenants from eviction if they temporarily host fire survivors out of compliance with their lease;
- Prioritize survivors at imminent risk of homelessness for rental housing support through the Department of Housing and Community Development;
- Extend tax filing deadlines for fire survivors;
You can learn more about all state action on fire recovery here.
