California secures expanded federal funding to repair firestorm-damaged public infrastructure

News

Jan 15, 2025

What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced federal assistance for local governments to repair or replace public facilities damaged by the recent firestorms in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES - Adding to the already robust support received from the Biden-Harris Administration through the Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced expanded support for local governments for repairs or replacement of firestorm-damaged public facilities and infrastructure.

Thanks to the quick work of the Biden-Harris Administration, we've secured additional funding to help Los Angeles communities rebuild faster and stronger. This new funding will help us repair infrastructure like roads and bridges, public facilities and parks - the places that bring our communities together.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Known as public assistance grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state has received funding for the following types of projects:

• Debris removal
• Emergency protective measures
• Roads and bridges
• Water control facilities
• Public buildings and equipment
• Public utilities
• Parks, recreational, and other facilities

Although reimbursement funds are awarded to government entities and certain private nonprofits, the Public Assistance program is intended to benefit the whole community. Public assistance dollars help clean up communities affected by disaster-related debris, repair roads and bridges, and put utilities and water systems back in order. Applicants for public assistance funding include the state, tribe, local government, or certain type of nonprofit organization.

Recently, FEMA announced launching transitional sheltering assistance for displaced residents, which helps provide short-term lodging

Included in the federal funding is individual assistance for affected Californians and businesses, which includes temporary accommodation and financial assistance for destroyed property.

Get help today

Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires - a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• By calling 800-621-3362
• By using the FEMA smart phone application
• Assistance is available in over 40 languages
• If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Clearing the way for quicker recovery

On Monday, Governor Newsom proposed California provide at least $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts and to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. The funding will support recovery and cleanup, additional wildfire preparedness, and reopening schools shuttered by the fires.

Over the weekend, the Governor signed two executive orders to boost recovery efforts - one to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger by cutting red tape, and the other todirect fast action on clearing debris and preparing for mudslides and flooding. In addition, on Tuesday, Governor Newsom signed two additional executive orders to help displaced children get back to school and ensure families aren't taken advantage of by predatory real estate speculators.

State's all-in response

California has mobilized more than 16,000+ personnel including firefighters, guard servicemembers, highway patrol officers and transportation teams to support the ongoing firefight.

In addition, these response efforts include more than 2,000 pieces of firefighting equipment, including 1,480+ engines, 80+ aircraft, 210+ dozers and 220+ water tenders to aid in putting out the fires.

Last week, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and he subsequently issued multiple executive orders to support communities affected by the ongoing fires. On Wednesday, President Biden quickly approved Governor Newsom's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts. The state also received continued federal assistance to combat the Hurst, Eaton, and Palisades Fires.

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