The Los Angeles County Household Relief Grant program, designed to provide timely financial assistance to residents who suffered the greatest impacts of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires, has started disbursing more than $5.6 million, officials announced Friday.
The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is overseeing the program.
“We hope that these grants represent tangible steps that help families stabilize and begin their rebuilding journey after the devastation of the wildfires,” DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal said in a statement. “Our team, along with our partner, The Center by Lendistry, is working diligently to evaluate applications and expedite the distribution of funds to ensure that those most impacted by these fires receive the support they urgently need.”
The grant program received over 15,000 applications before the March 12 submission deadline.
“While initial grant awards have begun, applications continue to be expeditiously reviewed and grant awards will continue until funds raised are exhausted,” according to a county statement.
Grants are from $6,000-$18,000 per household and pay for any needs that insurance or other forms of assistance do not cover.
Eaton Fire applicants in Altadena and nearby areas totaled 60%, with 40% affected by the Palisades Fire. Officials expect that the majority of future grant awards will support Eaton survivors.
“These grants mark a vital step in helping our communities heal and recover from the devastating wildfires,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents the 5th District that includes the Eaton Fire burn area, said in a statement. “I’m glad that families in Altadena and the surrounding region are finally beginning to receive the critical support they need and deserve.”
Officials prioritized grant awards based on criteria that included insurance status, social and economic vulnerability, loss of life, health conditions and other risk factors.
“Seeing these grants reach families marks a powerful milestone in our recovery journey,” Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, whose 3rd District includes burn areas in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. “I’m proud that Los Angeles County is moving with urgency and compassion to help those most impacted by the wildfires. This is real relief, at a time when our communities need it most — and it’s a hopeful sign of the stronger, more resilient future we are building together.”
Household Relief Grants are sourced through a combination of contributions from the county and philanthropic individuals and organizations. Among the variety of contributors were the Hawthorne Police Officers Association, the Southern California Interclub Association of Figure Skating Clubs and the Wrightwood Girl Scouts Troop 1213.
The county’s website for donations, which officials said shape the program’s capacity to assist wildfire-affected residents, is at lacounty.gov/relief.
Updates on the status of grant applications are available through accounts established at lacountyrelieffund.com.
The Eaton and Palisades fires caused the deaths of 30 people and devastated over 14,000 and 21,000 acres respectively. More than 20,000 properties were destroyed or damaged when the fires erupted Jan. 7 during fierce winds.
