Sacramento, CA – California is launching a $105 million disaster relief program on Thursday aimed at supporting homeowners whose properties were damaged or made uninhabitable by recent wildfires, floods, and other declared disasters.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund, administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), will provide grants of up to $20,000 — roughly equal to three months of mortgage payments — to help eligible homeowners recover from major disasters. The grants are non-repayable and free to apply for.
“Homeowners whose home was destroyed in a recent fire, flood, or other disaster deserve support in their recovery. We know that recovery takes time, and the state is here to support,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
The relief applies to disasters declared as state emergencies or federally recognized between January 2023 and January 2025. Qualified incidents include the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Park Fire, and Tropical Storm Hilary. A full list of eligible events is available on the program’s website.
In addition to the mortgage assistance, CalHFA is also providing $25 million in housing counseling services through its National Mortgage Settlement Housing Counseling Program.
Applications open June 12 at CalAssistMortgageFund.org. If approved, payments will be sent directly to mortgage servicers on behalf of the homeowner.
Officials confirmed the new funding will not impact the state’s proposed 2025-2026 budget.
