Wednesday, March 18, 2026

County Approves $5 Million to Help Wildfire-Displaced Renters Buy Homes

The state-funded program offers up to $200,000 in down payment assistance, but could serve as few as 25 households

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved nearly $5 million in state funds to provide down payment assistance to households displaced by the January 2025 wildfires, creating a homeownership pathway for renters in Altadena and other fire-impacted communities.

The motion, introduced by Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, authorizes the Los Angeles County Development Authority to accept $4,999,675 through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s CalHome Program, according to a press release from Barger’s office. Eligible households may receive up to $200,000 or 40% of a home’s purchase price, whichever is lower.

The program’s disaster provisions expand income eligibility to households earning up to 150% of the Area Median Income — approximately $159,900 per year for a family of four in Los Angeles County, the press release states. That threshold is notably broader than LACDA’s existing homebuyer programs, which cap eligibility at 120% AMI and offer smaller assistance amounts.

LACDA’s current HOP80 program provides up to $100,000 in assistance for households at 80% AMI, and its HOP120 program offers up to $85,000 at 120% AMI, according to LACDA’s website.

“We have an important window of opportunity to help renters become homeowners and build long-term stability for themselves and their families,” Barger said in the press release. “By securing these state resources, we’re creating pathways to upward mobility and investing in the future of our communities.”

The Eaton Fire, which ignited January 7, 2025, destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed at least 19 people. More than 14 months later, only 23 residential properties out of nearly 6,000 that suffered significant damage had completed all rebuilding and repairs as of December 2025, according to a report by Catalyst California.

At $200,000 per household, the $4,999,675 allocation could serve roughly 25 families. Actual per-household amounts may vary, but the press release does not specify how many households the program expects to assist.

“Altadena and our other impacted communities deserve this support,” Barger said in the press release. “When families have a place to call their own, entire neighborhoods benefit and thrive.”

The press release describes CalHome as “established under Assembly Bill 434,” authored by former Assemblymember Tom Daly. AB 434, signed in 2020, reformed and harmonized the pre-existing CalHome Program rather than creating it.

LACDA will develop an implementation plan including eligibility criteria, outreach strategies, and coordination with local housing partners, according to the press release. No timeline for when displaced residents can begin applying has been announced. Residents should monitor LACDA and the County for updates on the application process.

The CalHome approval is one of several recovery-focused actions by the Board. On March 3, supervisors approved $3.8 million for a program to help Eaton Fire-area homeowners build accessory dwelling units on their properties, according to Barger’s office.

Whether the down payment assistance is sufficient to make homeownership viable depends on local housing prices — a question the program’s announcement does not address.