Fire survivors from Altadena and the Palisades struggling to put their lives back together received welcome news Friday from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who requested the federal government extend crucial disaster assistance for temporary housing that will provide breathing room for rebuilding efforts.
Newsom’s formal request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) calls for a 12-month extension of the Individual and Households Program (IHP), which provides families funds for interim housing.
If approved, the federal disaster aid that was set to expire in two months would continue to provide survivors from the January 2025 wildfires with housing assistance through July 9, 2027.
At a press event in Altadena Friday, nonprofits, fire survivors and others had pressed for the extension, saying if it were to expire, thousands of families who’ve exhausted their savings and pay high rents for temporary housing would be faced with homelessness.
About 80% of fire survivors remain in emergency, short-term, or temporary housing, according to the Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Housing and Recovery Report from January 2026.
“Today, it’s because the voice of our community is being heard,” said Lisa Odigie, a fire survivor and organizer with the Eaton Fire Collaborative. “We want to say thank you to Gov. Newsom for getting that done. But our work is not over.”
Odigie said the survivors will continue to ask President Donald Trump to act on Newsom’s $34 billion request for fire aid for victims and for rebuilding coastal Palisades and Malibu as well as Altadena — areas devastated by the Jan. 7-Jan 8 twin fire disasters that killed 31 people, destroyed 16,000 structures, and displaced tens of thousands.
The next step is making sure FEMA approves the extension, said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, in an interview before the event.
“Sure, that is very good news,” she said when she learned of Newsom’s extension request. “That is what we were all pushing for.”
Chu said she’s optimistic the FEMA assistance program will be extended.
“I feel like FEMA folks will be very responsive, as long as there is no interference from President Trump,” she said. “But I have been very impressed with FEMA,” she said, saying the agency’s emergency response in the past 16 months has been very good.
So far, FEMA has awarded $157 million in IHP grants to survivors. “This has been transformational. But its expiration threatens to cut off that critical lifeline. That’s why it was so important for Gov. Newsom to formally request the IHP extension,” she said. “I am doing everything in my power for FEMA to immediately approve the governor’s request.”
Odigie said extending federal assistance for housing in a disaster is not unprecedented. In October, 2024, FEMA approved a 12-month extension for survivors of the Maui wildfires, she noted.
Those trying to rebuild face insurance denials, underpayment of awards, rising cost of construction and permitting delays. A survey from the nonprofit Department of Angels found 2 out of 3 survivors remain displaced. Also, the survey released Thursday found 60% of survivors have received only the initial FEMA award of $750, nothing more.
Rebuilding in the two areas of L.A. County is very much tied to the financial health of the survivor, said Angela Giacchetti, with the nonprofit. The survey found those with more resources are more hopeful about rebuilding, while those with low incomes are less confident. She said many homeowners need at least $500,000 more to build replacement homes.
“We are seeing what we call a hope gap,” Giacchetti said. “Recovery is tied to income.”
In the Palisades, many trying to recover are mired in construction delays, rising costs and some whose homes are standing are facing smoke, ash and toxic contamination concerns and remain unsure they can return home safely, said Sara Marti, a fire survivor herself. Her family lost their home in the Palisades fire.
“The emotional toll of all of this is enormous,” Marti said. “My family had to move 12 times in one year,” she said.
In the fire zones, renters are particularly stuck. Finding new places to rent is difficult as those units on the market are not cheap.
Vlad Carrasco, with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), said 75% of the rental housing supply lost in the fires have not been rebuilt. Extending housing assistance from FEMA is critical for those who are paying high rents in temporary housing.
“This disaster recovery system is filled with holes and leaving survivors behind,” he said.
Jane Lawton Potell, with the Eaton Fire Residents United, spoke about those whose houses are intact, but sustained smoke contamination. She said the burning in Altadena of refrigerators, electric vehicles, computers and televisions sent contaminants such as arsenic, chromium and lead into standing homes. Many homes were approved for living by insurance inspectors yet subsequent testing reveal the presence of lead, which can be harmful to children’s development, she said.
“Many families already moved back into contaminated homes because they have no other choice,” she said, because their savings have been depleted and they can’t continue paying pay rent as well as the mortgage on their damaged home.
Many at the event spoke about the future being uncertain, resulting in anxiety and mental stress. Every little bit of assistance will help relieve some of that burden in a protracted journey to normalcy.
“This recovery is not over. If you are a survivor, you know this in your bones,” said Giacchetti.