eNews: Six Months After the LA Wildfires CalAssist Mortgage Fund Offers Mortgage Relief for Homeowners

Recovery from a disaster that destroyed your home or left it uninhabitable is often measured in months, not weeks. As many Los Angeles homeowners continue down the path of recovery from the January wildfires, the state's new CalAssist Mortgage Fund is offering critical relief from mortgage payments for homeowners around the state who are displaced from wildfires and other disasters.

Administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), the CalAssist Mortgage Fund provides eligible homeowners with grants for three months of mortgage payments, up to $20,000.

"While wildfires, floods and storms have brought some of California's darkest hours, they also revealed the unbreakable spirit that defines us-neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming family, and compassion rising from the ashes," said Rebecca Franklin, CalHFA's Chief Deputy Director. "The CalAssist Mortgage Fund assistance is part of the state's larger response to help families focus on recovery."

Who is Eligible?

The state's CalAssist Mortgage Fund is easing financial pressures on families, allowing them to focus on rebuilding. Assistance is available to homeowners statewide who meet the eligibility criteria, including:

• Applicants' primary residence was destroyed or is uninhabitable due to a qualified disaster from 01/01/2023 through 01/08/2025
• Applicant meets program income limits
• Applicant has a mortgage or reverse mortgage
• Applicant owns a single-family home, condo or permanently affixed manufactured home (may include up to 4 units).

When Do the Funds Need to be Paid Back?

The mortgage grants provided to assist California homeowners do not have to be repaid, and applying to the program is free. With $105 million available, applications will be reviewed in the order they are submitted, and funds will be awarded until they are exhausted.

How Do I Apply and Get the Funds?

To begin the application process, visit CalAssistMortgageFund.org. Once an applicant is approved, mortgage grants will be sent directly to the eligible homeowner's mortgage servicer.

How Can I Get Help Applying?

Homeowners can call the CalAssist Mortgage Fund for in-depth, one-on-one assistance with preparing and completing their application at 800-501-0019 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Additionally, following Governor Gavin Newsom's initial proposal in February, funds have been provided for housing counseling support, which is being offered through the National Mortgage Settlement Housing Counseling Program. California homeowners seeking more personalized support can find and work with HUD-certified housing counselors, who are trained to assist California homeowners recovering from a disaster.

For more information on the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, visit CalAssistMortgageFund.org.