Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday issued an executive order to continue protections for renters and homeowners recovering from the Los Angeles wildfires.
The order extends state price gouging restrictions for rental housing, hotels and short-term accommodations, extends support for survivors sheltering in hotels and short-term housing and gives priority to fire survivors experiencing homelessness for state-funded housing.
“As the Los Angeles community continues to recover and rebuild, the state remains steadfast in its commitment to providing targeted relief and assistance,” Newsom said in a statement. “Today I am issuing an executive order to further ensure that survivors are protected from exploitation and can access housing they need.”
Friday’s action extends several executive orders that were about to expire. The order’s aim is to encourage immediate access to housing and protect tenants from exploitation, officials said.
The anti-price gouging order extends to July 1 and applies to rental rates for residences, hotels and motels. It also prohibits evictions of tenants so that the landlord can relist the unit at a higher rate, “while retaining exemptions for large homes in zip codes with high fair market values which have not recently been on the rental market to help ensure they are available for rental during recovery efforts,” according to the governor’s office. The order exempts newly built housing in an effort to increase the housing supply with pricing flexibility for new buildings subject to higher financing costs.
Newsom’s order also suspends state laws that classify guests at hotels, motels and temporary housing as tenants after 30 days of residency. Officials said this gives people more time to find alternative housing.
Fire survivors experiencing homelessness will receive priority placement on waiting lists for state-funded housing, and the order supports restoring two Altadena commercial corridors to their pre-fire character.
“Two thriving commercial corridors in Altadena were destroyed by the fires, and to ensure these culturally significant corridors can be rebuilt to their pre-fire character and contribute to a walkable, resource-rich community, state laws that might otherwise limit the ability to maintain the same pedestrian character and ground floor commercial space should be suspended in these areas,” according to the executive order.
LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes areas devastated in the Eaton Fire, welcomed the extended protections and noted the order’s “key provision affecting future development in Altadena’s commercial corridors” on Lake and Fair Oaks avenues.
“I commend Governor Newsom for taking decisive action to preserve commercial space along these two critical corridors,” Barger said in a statement. “Altadena’s local economy may be small, but it is powered by resilient, hardworking small businesses. As these businesses continue to recover and rebuild — or, for those that remain open, strive to survive despite the challenges of a displaced customer base — this executive order will serve as an important safeguard to preserve commercial space and the local economy.
“By preventing the permanent loss of commercial sites in our business corridors, the governor’s action ensures that our small businesses can continue to serve the community without the looming threat of redevelopment pressures pushing them out,” Barger said. “Recovery isn’t just about residents returning to their homes — it’s about ensuring that the restaurants, coffee shops, dry cleaners, and other essential services they rely on remain in place to help them rebuild their daily lives.”
Barger added that the order “also ensures that future development enhances — rather than undermines — the community’s pedestrian-friendly design and vibrant business environment. This balanced approach is key to preserving Altadena’s unique character while also expanding much-needed housing opportunities.
“I encourage our local stakeholders to seize this opportunity to collaborate on smart, sustainable development solutions that serve our residents. Together, we can shape a future for Altadena that protects its charm while thoughtfully addressing its housing needs,” she said.
The Eaton Fire claimed 17 lives and destroyed or damaged over 10,000 structures in Altadena and Pasadena. It’s cause was still under investigation, but numerous lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison alleging the utility’s equipment sparked the firestorm.
The Palisades Fire caused 12 deaths and destroyed or damaged nearly 8,000 buildings in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Both blazes erupted Jan. 7 amid fierce Santa Ana winds.
The executive order is available for viewing online.
