A state mortgage relief program that has provided $20,000 in financial support to fire survivors in Southern California will be expanded to provide a full year of assistance up to $100,000 that will not need to be repaid, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
Launched in June 2025 by the California Housing Finance Agency, the CalAssist Mortgage Fund initially provided up to $20,000 in grants to homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Homeowners whose homes were impacted by natural disasters and were issued a “State of Emergency proclamation” or a “Major Disaster Declaration” between January 2023 and January 2025 were eligible to apply for assistance.
The grant program has been increased fourfold, and eligibility will be expanded to cover more survivors, according to Newsom’s office.
In Los Angeles County, households with a combined annual income of up to $281,400 now qualify. This reflects a $70,000 increase from the previous limit. Income limits vary by county, in places like Butte County, income limits are now $255,000.
A full list of income eligibility by county can be found at www.calassistmortgagefund.org/program-details.
Individuals who have already received three months of assistance through the program can apply to reach a full 12 months of aid. Funds are paid directly to awardees’ mortgage servicers.
“As these communities continue rebuilding, we’re not going anywhere. The state of California is a committed partner every step of the way on the road to recovery. This disaster was unprecedented and demanded flexibility and real-time action,” Newsom said in a statement.
“We’ve been on the ground, listening and adjusting to meet people’s evolving needs. That’s why we’re expanding this program — to close the gap between relief and long-term recovery, and make sure folks get the help they need to move forward,” Newsom added.
So far, California has issued $6.5 million to 793 recipients, a vast majority of which are survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires, according to Newsom’s office.
“This expansion is about lifting weight off families who have lost so much,” Rebecca Franklin, CalHFA chief deputy director, said in a statement. “The timing here is critical. Many families affected by the LA fires have been on forbearance for a year now, and haven’t made a mortgage payment since the fires started.”
Sonia Linares, an Altadena resident who lost her home in January 2025, received a grant from the program and encouraged others to apply.
“The help I received eased a huge amount of stress during an incredibly difficult time. Knowing that more support is now available gives families like mine a real chance to keep moving forward while we rebuild,” Linares said in a statement.