The Brief

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Among the few bright spots when disasters hit are the ways in which community members and businesses step up to support those who need it most. The state and county have both set up websites designed to be one-stop shops for victims of the fires that tore through L.A. neighborhoods in January:

• LA County Recovers is a county site which includes the latest news on the recovery process, how to apply for disaster aid, get tax relief and connect with key county agencies like the department of child support services.
• This state website has links to get help online with food, housing, and replacing documents, and information on the process to clean up and return to neighborhoods.

LAist is also maintaining this list of places where you can get a shower, shelter, food and more.

Note that this is an evolving list. Needs and supplies will shift and change in the days and weeks ahead. Check social media channels before you head out in case supplies or needs have changed. You could try calling as well, but know that many places will not have the capacity to staff phone lines.

Also: Read our story on what experts say is the best way to help fire victims in need.

If you have a question — or if you know a resource that should be on this list — please let us know.

Housing/shelter

• 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free temporary shelter for people displaced from their homes by fire. Start by filling out this form.
• Hilton is making 20,000 free hotel room nights available to people affected by the fires. If you've already filled out an application with 211 LA (see above), you don't need to apply separately. If you haven't filled out an application, start here.
• The local hotel association is maintaining a list of hotels in and around L.A. with available space, including whether and what kind of discounts they're offering to fire victims and evacuees.

Transportation

• LA Metro is offering free fares while fire conditions exist. All rail lines are running their regular service. Find the latest service alerts due to the fires here. LA Metro also has a map of donation and evacuation centers, animal care centers, and other resources near Metro lines.
• LA Metro has also modified eligibility requirements for its reduced fare program to help fire victims get back on their feet. They're helping people enroll at FEMA recovery centers and Red Cross shelters.

Replacing documents

L.A. County residents directly impacted by fires can request property records, business filings, and vital records (like birth and marriage certificates) free of charge to help with recovery efforts.

• Call 800-201-8999 (Option 1 followed by Option 2) or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov
• Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk staff will also be available to help at the Local Assistance Centers set up for fire victims
• OR visit one of their branch offices

Childcare

• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is opening its locations that aren't affected by the fires for temporary shelter, showers, basic amenities, and mental health support. They have also teamed up with L.A. Unified School District to provide childcare services for essential workers and affected families until schools reopen. Register on their website.
• L.A. County is offering free day camps for children ages 5-17 from homes under mandatory evacuation or otherwise significantly impacted by the fires. Monday through Friday through Jan. 31. As of Jan. 23, there was a waitlist. More information here.
• L.A. City's Recreation and Parks Department is offering day camps and teen centers for kids impacted by the Palisades fire through Jan. 31 at Mar Vista Recreation Center and Oakwood Recreation Center, although there were also waitlists for these programs as of Jan. 23. More info, or to be added to the waitlist, on their website.

Family reunification assistance

• If you need assistance locating or connecting with someone impacted by the wildfires, or you want to inform your family of your safety, the Red Cross may be able to help. Complete this Red Cross Inquiry form or contact the Red Cross at (800) 675-5799

FEMA claims

If you have experienced a loss during these fires, please file a FEMA claim so they can help begin the process of securing you the aid you deserve.

Disaster Resource Centers — which are intended to be a one-stop shop for fire victims and can help with a variety of needs beyond FEMA claims — are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Westside

• UCLA Research Park West, 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Eastside

• Altadena Disaster Recovery Center, 540 W Woodbury Rd., Altadena

For a full list of FEMA resources, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4856

LAist Cheat Sheet: These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim

Sign up for alerts

• Sign Up for Emergency Alerts: Alert LA County | NotifyLA | Culver City Emergency Alerts

Price gouging

• Report incidents of price gouging to the Attorney General

School closures

• School closure information: LAUSD | CCUSD

Laptops and internet service

• Digital equity nonprofit Human-I-T is offering fire victims free laptops and hotspots with three months of free internet service. Fill out a simple form to get more information.

Evacuation centers

• Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westwood (accepts small animals)
• Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E Green St., Pasadena
• Stoner Recreation Center: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles
• Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Rec Center: 14201 Houston St., Sherman Oaks
• Hart High School: 24825 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita *temporary*
  

For animals/pets

If you lost a pet in the Eaton Fire or have found a pet, call the Eaton Fire Animal Rescue Hotline: 626-577-3752.

If you need help retrieving a pet from an evacuation area, call 213-270-8155.

If you were evacuated from within the city of L.A. and need help finding a lost pet, call 213-270-8155.

You can also report lost or found pets online though PetCo's Love Lost system.

Small animal shelters:

• El Camino High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills
• Baldwin Park Animal Care Center, 4275 Elton St., Baldwin Park
• Carson Animal Care Center, 216 W. Victoria St., Gardena
• Downey Animal Care Center, 11258 Garfield Ave., Downey
• Lancaster Animal Care Center: 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster
• Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Hwy.
• Pasadena Humane Society, 361 S. Raymond Ave.
  (Only accepts small animals within its jurisdiction)
  

Large animal shelters

• Pomona Fairplex: 1101 W Mckinley Ave., Pomona (receiving horses and dogs, temporary kennels)
• Industry Hills Expo: 16200 Temple Ave. (large animals)
• Pierce College: 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills
• Ventura County Fairgrounds: 10 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura (Ventura County residents only)

Other resources for furry and four-legged friends:

• spcaLA is also taking in animals affected by the fires, 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles
• Dogtopia of East Pasadena is offering three free overnight stays for pups from families displaced by fire and a 50% discount afterwards, (626) 699-8577 
• Savage Ranch in Temecula is offering shelter to people with horses, several rooms, plus space for RVs and trailers. DM or reach out through their website for info
• Hatch Ranch in Tehachapi is also offering space for people with horses or other animals

Health/Mental Health

• All L.A. Public Library branches are giving out free N95 masks.
• If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a Disaster Distress Helpline for disaster victims experiencing anxiety, stress, or other emotional distress. Callers can talk with a trained counselor 24/7 in multiple languages, (800) 985-5990

For displaced businesses and nonprofits

• The county has launched a portal for displaced businesses and nonprofits in need of temporary space to operate.
• The co-working firm Industrious is offering free office hours and other resources for fire victims. Find a location near you here.
• The co-working firm International Workplace Group (Spaces, Regus, HQ) is also offering free work space for fire victims. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play or call (800) 633-4237, then present a business card at one of the locations, and register for the day.
• Boomtown Brewery in the Arts District is offering to open its tap room during the day for those who need a place to be and/or WiFi, email or DM on Instagram

Food, rest, recharge, rebuild

• EBT Users impacted by the recent wildfires in California can now use EBT benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and Kern counties. This benefit is available until Feb. 8, 2025. Details here.
• Planet Fitness locations in L.A. are offering anyone affected by the fires, including first responders, free access to their facilities, including showers, massage chairs, locker rooms, and WiFi. Contact the club near you for more information and hours
• Chuze Fitness is also opening its doors to fire victims and first responders. Find a location near you here.
• AT&T is offering people in fire-affected areas unlimited talk, text and data through Feb. 6 (if you don’t already have an unlimited plan). Check their website for a list of included ZIP codes
• T-mobile is also offering unlimited talk, text and data to customers in cities affected by the fires through Feb. 15.
• Verizon has a free wifi spot open at 23841 Malibu Rd., Malibu from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Odyssey Games in Pasadena is offering their shop to evacuees to charge cell phones, use the restroom, and grab a snack, 1795 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
• Octavia's Bookshelf is collecting water, air purifiers, and gift cards for fire victims. The store is transitioning to be a healing center for fire victims, with plans to offer therapy sessions, writing workshops and more. Watch their Instagram account for updates, 1353 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena
• U-Haul is offering 30-days of self-storage and U-box rentals for free to fire evacuees and affected families: 92 facilities are participating, in L.A., Orange County, the Inland Empire and elsewhere. Check this document for contact info

Other resource lists

• Mutual Aid LA Network has put together an extensive list of resources for fire evacuees and folks who want to help
• The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles has compiled a list of resources for fire victims and evacuees, including legal and mental health support
• LAist Cheat Sheet: A quick roundup of SoCal fire coverage and safety resources

Note: This is a work in progress. We will update this list as more information becomes available.

The Los Angeles Unified School District’s falling enrollment and fiscal challenges are fueling conversations planned for later this year about potential school closures and consolidation.

District leaders presented a snapshot of LAUSD’s finances Tuesday, showing steeper enrollment declines and lower state revenue and reserves than previously projected. The board adopted a $3.5 billion savings plan alongside the most recent budget in June that, among other cuts, envisions saving $30 million a year through school consolidation and repurposing in the 2028-29 school year.

“Our goal is not simply to have fewer schools; our goal is to have stronger schools, schools that are better resourced, schools that offer more programs for our students,” said Superintendent Andrés Chait.

LAUSD staff project that the district will run out of money during the 2027-2028 school year if it does not implement the cuts in the fiscal stabilization plan.

The L.A. County Office of Education assigned a fiscal expert to the district in July and warned LAUSD was at risk of losing the power to govern itself without further changes to its spending. The district eliminated more than 600 jobs in May, largely in its central offices, as part of a prior savings plan.

Almost 4% fewer students than expected are attending LAUSD schools this academic year compared to last year, according to preliminary data. The district’s chief financial officer said that each 1% drop in enrollment is a loss of about $20 million a year because California funds schools based on how many students show up to class each day.

Chait said the district will start holding community conversations related to school closures in the next few weeks and will share more details during a Sept. 22 meeting.

The leader of a congressional panel warned Tuesday he would use “every tool” to get Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to testify after she skipped a hearing that put L.A.’s homeless services system in the hot seat.

It came as multiple audits, reviews and court rulings have found L.A. has failed to ensure proper tracking of large-scale spending on homeless services — particularly through the joint city-county L.A. Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA. Much of the money is federal dollars authorized by Congress.

Bass had declined to testify at Tuesday’s hearing, saying she was unavailable and that it would be a “politically motivated” attack. Her public schedule showed she planned to attend a groundbreaking of a shopping and community center in the Pacific Palisades two hours after the hearing was set to start.

Rep. Tim Burchett, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee's DOGE subcommittee, said she won't get off that easily.

Bass "seems intent on evading accountability, but she knows we will not let her off the hook," Burchett said at the hearing. He added that he and the Oversight Committee’s chair would "use every tool at our disposal to secure her appearance if she does not cooperate.”

House committees and subcommittees can issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify or provide documents.

Just before the hearing got underway, Bass called it "the latest attack on Los Angeles by the Trump Administration and his allies in Congress.”

"I don't run LAHSA," she said, adding that she was the first mayor to sit on its board and that street homelessness has dropped since she took office. The latest official count for the city showed a 8% year to year jump in street homelessness.

Bass stepped off LAHSA’s governing commission last week, after LAist reported she had missed most of its meetings since she appointed herself to it in 2023. The mayor cited “time and all” as her reason for stepping down. She continues to appoint — and has the power to remove — half the commission’s members, including its current chair.

What happened at the hearing

Much of the hour-and-a-half hearing focused on Republican members’ criticism that Democrat-led cities distribute drug paraphernalia and don’t require unhoused people with addictions to get treatment as a condition of living in publicly funded housing.

Some proposals raised Tuesday would change how money reaches Los Angeles.

Burchett said he will introduce the Recovery First Housing Act, to require federally funded housing to offer substance abuse treatment. He has also introduced a bill restricting federal housing dollars to only support U.S. citizens.

LA's fights on a national stage

Burchett noted LAHSA’s audit committee chair, Justin Szlasa — who was proactive in rooting out wasteful spending — was demoted by Stephanie Graves, a Bass appointee who has declined to give her reason for doing so. The move was first reported by LAist.

Burchett also made claims that don’t hold up. He said 50,000 people are homeless in the city with "another 75,000" in the surrounding county. The latest official count found a total of 73,000 unhoused people across L.A. County — a figure that includes the city.

Burchett also said, “ LAHSA recently doled out funds to an L.A.-area nonprofit whose CEO had just been indicted for fraud.” LAist recently investigated LAHSA’s awarding of funds to that nonprofit, Abundant Blessings, and found no indication that LAHSA awarded it any funds after the fraud indictment. However, the review did find that long before the indictment, LAHSA kept awarding millions in contracts to the group even after it was flagged internally as high-risk for failing to do its job.

Burchett, however, was correct in saying “a court-ordered independent assessment of LAHSA's finances found alarming financial control weaknesses that leave the door open to rampant fraud.”

On Tuesday, street safety advocates and families of victims of vehicle collisions demanded that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declare a state of emergency on traffic violence in the city.

Sandra Sanchez Loulakis’s son died last year after she said he was hit by a negligent driver.

“I’ve been struggling just to survive daily,” she said at the news conference organized by traffic safety nonprofit Streets are for Everyone. “This is what happens to a parent when they lose a child.”

The city has seen 8% more fatal traffic collisions this year than during the same period last year, according to LAPD data from the end of August.

Advocates said an emergency declaration would better coordinate resources to respond to traffic fatalities, which have exceeded the rate of homicides for the last three years.

“ This is not a matter of we don't know what to do,” Damian Kevitt, who leads Streets are for Everyone, said Tuesday. “This is a matter of we know exactly what to do. We’re just not making this a priority as a city.”

Kevitt said more than 1,250 people signed an open letter delivered to the mayor and L.A. City Council. One of the demands listed in the letter is for the city to restore transportation department staff.

Earlier this year, the city gave up $100 million in state grants to make streets safer because it did not have the personnel to complete the projects in compliance with state-mandated deadlines.

Draft executive directive on Vision Zero

It appears there had been momentum from the mayor’s office earlier this year to issue an executive directive recommitting the city to its Vision Zero goals of reducing traffic fatalities to zero.

According to emails from May shared with LAist, the mayor’s senior director of transportation told an activist that a draft executive directive was “under review” and expected to be released “within the next three weeks.”

The email was sent to Jonathan Hale, who organizes community members to paint crosswalks where there have been pedestrian-involved collisions.

The executive directive has yet to be released.

LAist submitted a public records request for drafts of the executive directive, but on Sept. 14, the mayor’s office responded saying it could not disclose any records.

“[The records] include drafts and/or deliberative process for which the public interest served in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest served by the disclosure,” the office said.

The mayor’s office has not responded to requests for comment about the draft executive directive.

A new report commissioned by Olympics organizers estimates that the 2028 Games will generate at least $20 billion in economic output across Greater Los Angeles.

The analysis, prepared for LA28 by the nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s Institute for Applied Economics, looked at the economic effects of L.A. hosting the Olympics and Paralympics. It includes organizing committee spending, capital investments, publicly funded transportation and security investments, and tourism. 

In total, the report projects that new economic activity across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties could total somewhere between $20.5 billion and $25.4 billion and add around 126,000 and 152,000 jobs to the economy.

A second less conservative methodology employed by the researchers estimates the overall economic output could be even higher, between $35.4 and $40.6 billion and up to 224,000 new jobs.

“ Together, they provide a responsible range, not an exaggerated promise,” Stephen Cheung, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, said at a news conference announcing the report on Tuesday. “ If we work together with intention, the Games can leave Los Angeles with more than unforgettable memories. They can leave us with stronger businesses, greater opportunities, and a more connected regional economy.”

Despite the 2028 Games being advertised as a "no-build" Olympics, the biggest chunk of spending laid out in the report is on capital projects, including the $2.6 billion L.A. Convention Center renovation, billions in LAX improvements, major transit projects like Metro ExpressLanes on the 105 Freeway, and venue renovations, such as upgrades to Rose Bowl Stadium.

The report also estimates that around $5.7 billion of LA28’s spending will be in the five county region. LA28 has a $7.1 billion budget and has pledged to keep 75% of its spending in the Greater L.A. area, and put 25% toward small businesses.

“ That economic impact is going to be felt far and wide and across Los Angeles, as well as the Southern California region,” LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover said Tuesday.

The report is the second economic analysis forecasting the effects of the 2028 Games to come out this month. A separate report submitted to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in early September estimated that the Games would produce more than $13 billion in direct spending and a total economic output of $19.2 billion in Los Angeles County alone.

The same report also laid out the potential uneven distribution of economic benefits to the region, including limited benefits for Olympic venue sites that are not tourist destinations and parts of Los Angeles being excluded from the Games altogether.

HR&A Advisors, the consultant group that put the report together, identified Carson, Pomona, the City of Industry and Exposition Park as locations that are hosting Olympic events, but that could end up being “passthrough areas.”

“Although these areas may be active during the day, they may struggle to capture spending from visitors who pass through but do not spend money outside the venue,” the report states.

The county report also questioned what economic benefits will flow to parts of L.A. County that will be disconnected from Olympic and Paralympic activities, like Antelope Valley and Southeast Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the analysis found that L.A.’s typical tourist destinations — including downtown L.A., Old Town Pasadena, downtown Long Beach and the Venice Boardwalk — can expect to be active areas for economic activity during summer 2028.