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California: Governor Newsom announces major expansion of mortgage relief program, with a four-fold increase in payments to survivors

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Feb 12, 2026

Governor Newsom announces major expansion of mortgage relief program, with a four-fold increase in payments to survivors

What you need to know: Disaster-affected homeowners now qualify for one year of mortgage relief through Governor Newsom's expansion of the state's CalAssist mortgage relief program — increasing the relief period from three to twelve months of mortgage payments, with a total increase to $100,000.

LOS ANGELES — As part of the state's work to directly address the needs of LA firestorm survivors, Governor Newsom today announced the expansion of mortgage relief for survivors of qualified disasters, including the 2025 Los Angeles firestorms. The expansion makes available up to a full year of mortgage assistance up to $100,000 that does not need to be repaid. The expansion also allows more families to access this assistance with broader income eligibility.

As these communities continue rebuilding, we're not going anywhere. The state of California is a committed partner every step of the way on the road to recovery. This disaster was unprecedented and demanded flexibility and real-time action.

We've been on the ground, listening and adjusting to meet people's evolving needs. That's why we're expanding this program — to close the gap between relief and long-term recovery, and make sure folks get the help they need to move forward.

Governor Gavin Newsom

The expansion responds to feedback and concerns from homeowners seeking to rebuild and adds to the Governor's work to help provide LA firestorm survivors with financial recovery.

The Governor is continuing the state's efforts to support survivors as the Trump administration turns its back on them by withholding disaster aid.

In the last few months alone, the Governor has announced additional agreements with lenders to offer forbearance to homeowners and the intention to create a new financing program to help survivors bridge the gap between insurance payouts and the cost of rebuilding.

One year of mortgage relief, up to $100K

Under the expanded program, eligible homeowners may receive 12 months of mortgage payments, paid directly to their mortgage servicers. This is a fourfold increase of the program, which previously offered three months of relief. Assistance is available to homeowners who are current on their mortgage, in forbearance, or behind on payments. Families who previously received three months of assistance will be offered additional support, bringing total assistance to a full year.

In addition, the program will now cover up to $100,000 in payments, up from $20,000. This will allow families to take full advantage of the 12-month expansion, offering families major financial relief when they need it most, allowing them to focus their own funds on basic needs, alternative housing, and rebuilding.

"This expansion is about lifting weight off families who have lost so much," said Rebecca Franklin, CalHFA Chief Deputy Director. "The timing here is critical. Many families affected by the LA fires have been on forbearance for a year now and haven't made a mortgage payment since the fires started. By offering a full year of mortgage assistance and expanding income eligibility, we're making it clear that this support is real, available, and intended for families who are still recovering."

So far, the state has paid $6.5M to 793 recipients of recent natural disasters – the vast majority of which are survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires. Significant funding remains to help survivors, including those who may need continued relief when forbearance ends.

Updated income eligibility

The funding is now available to even more survivors. Income limits have increased, so more families can qualify for help.

In Los Angeles County, households with a combined annual income of up to $281,400 now qualify. This reflects a $70,000 increase from the previous limit. Income limits vary by county, in places like Butte County, income limits are now $255,000. A full list of income eligibility by county can be found here.

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The CalAssist Mortgage Fund, administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), was launched to provide direct mortgage relief to homeowners whose primary residences were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by qualifying disasters. Since its launch in June of 2025, the program has helped disaster-impacted homeowners across California stabilize their housing while navigating insurance claims and rising construction costs.

For Sonia Linares, an Altadena resident who lost her home during the 2025 fires, the program provided critical relief during an overwhelming period — and the expansion offers renewed hope.

"I tell people who are going through this to apply, because I did. The help I received eased a huge amount of stress during an incredibly difficult time. Knowing that more support is now available gives families like mine a real chance to keep moving forward while we rebuild." Sonia Linares, Altadena

Learn about Sonia's story here.



After learning she'll receive nine additional mortgage payments, bringing her total assistance to a full year under the expanded CalAssist program, Aurora Barboza Flores of Altadena offered this reflection on what the decision means for wildfire survivors:

"It's a huge relief. If you ask any Altadena resident who's rebuilding, any of us who have been displaced or lost our homes, the cost is really our biggest stressor. It's what we carry on our shoulders, what we go to sleep with, what we wake up with. That this decision was made at the state level tells us there is a conscious effort to help us rebuild." Aurora Barboza Flores, Altadena resident

Learn about Aurora's story here.

Applying is free, and funds are paid directly to mortgage servicers and never have to be repaid. Today's expansion helps ensure that more families affected by the recent fires in Los Angeles are able to access this important relief.

Homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. For eligibility details and application information, visit CalAssistMortgageFund.org or call 800-501-0019

State Rebuilding Finance Fund

To help more homeowners qualify for construction loans, the Governor has also announced that the state is developing a proposed state-backed rebuilding program that could integrate with private lender offerings, with a goal of increasing access to and lowering the cost of rebuilding loans to help close the gap between any insurance payouts and the total cost of rebuilding. Over the coming months, the state will develop the proposal in partnership with private lenders, philanthropic partners, and the legislature.

California steps up as federal government falls short

California will continue aiding those affected by natural disasters now and in the future. This administration will not leave any Californian behind. However, this work cannot be continued without the support of the federal government.

From the earliest hours of the disaster, Governor Newsom has taken unprecedented action to remove barriers that slow recovery and ensure bureaucracy does not stand between families and their return home.

The Governor, who went to Washington, D.C in early December to advocate for survivors, continues his call for immediate approval of the disaster supplemental, urging Congress and the President to deliver the same compassion and urgency that have been extended to other communities across the nation. This is the fourth request for funding since February, when President Trump promised he would "take care" of survivors.

President Trump's refusal to transmit a recovery package to Congress to help families rebuild shows his promise to 'take care' of survivors was clearly a lie. That's not just disrespectful, it's a disgrace – and it's time for him to wake up and do his job.

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Earlier this year, the entire bipartisan California delegation sent a letter to President Trump reaffirming the call for federal aid. The letter is attached and available here

The federal government plays a critical role as a partner to the state in this long-term recovery effort. Funding in this supplemental appropriation would go towards federal programs for survivors to:
  • Fund the rebuilding of schools, childcare centers, homes, and vital community facilities. This helps thousands of working families, veterans who lost homes, and nearly thousands of students displaced from their schools.
  • Keep small businesses open, support the economy, and maintain jobs. LA's small businesses and family-owned enterprises are the backbone of our local and national economy. Disaster loans and grants will keep them open, preserve thousands of jobs, and spur wider economic recovery — benefiting Americans who may never set foot in Los Angeles but rely on its goods, services, and culture.
  • Restore damaged water systems, rebuild responder infrastructure, and improve air quality monitoring. This protects not only LA's population but the tens of millions who travel, conduct business, and interact with the region each year.

For more information visit ca.gov/lafires.

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