Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

News

Federal Aid Available For Angelenos Who Faced Damages During The February Storms

A high-up view of a sprawling freeway with several lanes in each direction. It is a gray and drizzly day, with the mountains barely visible through the clouds. Two black power lines cross across the top third of the photo, with nearly a dozen birds flying to and from.
Birds fly over vehicles driving through the rain on the 101 Freeway on Feb. 19, 2024, in Los Angeles.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images North America
)

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

Topline:

If you live in Los Angeles or own a business in the city, new federal aid is now available for any damage you may have experienced during the historic February storms.

Why it matters: The historic February storms caused severe damage to homes and businesses across SoCal.

Businesses and nonprofits could quality for up to $2 million in loans to repair or replace any damage. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for those who have capital needs caused by the disaster — Angelenos could qualify for economic assistance loans up to $500,000. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 in loans to repair or replace damaged property and vehicles.

Support for LAist comes from

How to apply: Angelenos can visit the Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday — Thursday, or call (916) 735-1501 for direct assistance or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.

The deadline to apply for property damage is July 16, and the deadline to apply for economic assistance is Feb. 18, 2025. For more information, visit SBA.gov/disaster.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist