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As fire survivors face huge costs to rebuild, new funds and financing attempt to fill the gap
In the Pacific Palisades, 36 homes have been fully rebuilt as of mid-August 2026 since the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
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New fund to help fire survivors facing rebuilding gaps
Eaton and Palisades fire survivors face, on average, a $500,000 gap to rebuild, according to the latest Department of Angels Survey.
The gap is stark more than a year and a half after the Eaton and Palisades fires:
Homeowners are short, on average, $500,000 in what it will cost to rebuild their homes – that’s with what they’ve received from insurers.
The figure is from a July survey by the Department of Angels of more than 2,000 survivors across both fire areas.
Small Business Association Loans have been one way survivors have attempted to fill the gap. The window to apply officially ended in June. Programs like the state’s CalAssist Mortgage Fund provides up to one year of help. The federal government extended housing assistance for another year. And some banks have also offered to extend mortgage relief. (You can learn about all of these programs here and here.)
The majority of survivors are most interested in loans that are forgivable and low or no-interest, according to the Department of Angels survey.
“There are still people out there who need help,” said Ursula Hyman, co-founder of the Altadena Land Initiatives Corporation.
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Hyman knows firsthand — her home was seriously damaged and her daughter’s home was lost to the Eaton fire.
Her group’s fund is one of several that have cropped up as traditional safety nets prove to be far from enough. These funds attempt to bridge the financial gap, as well as the knowledge gap many face in rebuilding from scratch.
As the fire becomes “old news,” Hyman said — “It’s not old news to the people who are still living it” — it’s harder to find investors to support that work.
”It's much harder for all of the nonprofits to raise money right now,” she said. “ We'd like to do 100 homes this year, and I have about enough capital right now to do 25.”
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January 2025 to today: The LA fires by the numbers
The fires killed at least 31 people, with hundreds more deaths linked to them after the fact, and destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses, schools, places of worship, and other buildings.
Meanwhile, nearly two years on, 150 homes have been rebuilt in the Eaton Fire burn scar, and 36 in the Palisades, as of mid-August.
Two in three survivors remain displaced.
Roughly half have depleted significant portions of savings, and just under half have been forced to take on debt.
Half have either run out of insurance money to cover their temporary housing costs, or will run out in the next year.
‘Rebuild gap’ funds
Here’s a quick roundup of “rebuild gap” funds. If we missed any, or you want to share your experience with these programs, reach out to reporter Erin Stone at estone@laist.com.
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All of the funders LAist spoke with encouraged survivors to reach out to them regardless of whether they’re sure about participating in the program.
Altadena Land Initiatives Corporation
Supported by Cathay Bank, this fund provides zero-interest loans, on average about $260,000, as well as pre-approved construction plans with vetted builders. They have over 70 construction plans available (soon to be more) and no income requirements. Learn more at their website.
Greenline Housing Foundation
Provides temporary housing assistance as well as up to $250,000 grants to Eaton Fire survivors rebuilding a home. For the grants, there are no income limits and the money does not need to be repaid. Learn more on their website and fill out an intake form here.
Habitat for Humanity
Provides smoke remediation, home repair and rebuilding assistance for Eaton and Palisades fire survivors. You can learn more and fill out their intake form here. They, along with Greenline Housing, have worked with the Resilient Delta Fund to provide some of these programs.
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Lendistry disaster recovery mortgage pilot
L.A.-based Lendistry has worked to assist fire survivors and, with the support of Bank of America and the California Community Foundation, recently launched a new pilot program for fire-affected homeowners. The program will provide comprehensive rebuild financial assistance and guidance, including construction loans and mortgage assistance. They say their interest rates will be “competitive and market-driven” and aim to close loans within 45 days. You can learn more and fill out an interest form here.
Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved $100 million in state funds to help fire survivors afford to rebuild. The program is not yet available as it just opened for lenders, but survivors can learn more and stay up to date on the program’s launch here.
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