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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a new financial relief program that will provide grants of up to $20,000 to eligible homeowners whose primary residences were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by recent disasters. The CalAssist Mortgage Fund, set to open for applications on June 12, will help cover mortgage payments for affected homeowners as they work toward recovery.
Managed by the California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, the program aims to assist those who have suffered property loss from disasters declared either a state of emergency by the Governor or a federal major disaster declaration between January 2023 and January 2025. Disasters such as the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, Park Fire, and San Diego floods fall under the eligible events.
The program offers one-time grants of up to three months of mortgage payments, capped at $20,000, and does not require repayment. According to CalHFA, the funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s mortgage servicer to avoid delays and reduce administrative burdens for homeowners.
“Homeowners whose home was destroyed in a recent fire, flood or other disaster deserve support in their recovery,” said Newsom in a statement announcing the fund. “We know that recovery takes time, and the state is here to support.”
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund is part of a broader state recovery effort that includes $25 million in housing counseling support through CalHFA’s National Mortgage Settlement Housing Counseling Program. State officials emphasized that this funding initiative will not affect the Governor’s proposed 2025-2026 budget.
Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, said the new fund would ease the financial strain many survivors face in the aftermath of losing their homes.
“The CalAssist Mortgage Fund will provide more than $100 million in valuable support to help ease the financial pressure survivors face, giving them a little more breathing room as they navigate the challenging path of rebuilding their lives,” Moss said in a public statement.
To facilitate a smooth application process, detailed eligibility information and application guidelines are available at CalAssistMortgageFund.org. CalHFA has confirmed that application assistance is available by phone at 800-501-0019, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agency also noted that applicants can access free help through housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“For communities affected by disasters, the CalAssist Mortgage Fund will provide homeowners with financial assistance that allows them to focus on healing and recovery,” said Rebecca Franklin, Chief Deputy Director of CalHFA. “Hard-working families across the state, from Altadena to Chico, deserve relief as they work to recover from these devastating events.”
Earlier this year, Newsom worked with more than 400 financial institutions to support affected homeowners by securing a 90-day mortgage forbearance. Participating banks, including Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo, agreed not to report missed payments to credit bureaus or impose late fees during the forbearance period.
The mortgage relief program follows several executive orders aimed at accelerating the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Among those measures, Newsom suspended specific environmental and coastal permitting requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act to fast-track the reconstruction of homes and businesses.
Newsom has also directed the California Coastal Commission not to issue conflicting guidance that might hinder the state’s disaster recovery policies. These actions are designed to reduce bureaucratic delays and eliminate barriers for those looking to rebuild after losing their homes.
In a continued effort to improve community engagement during the recovery process, Newsom introduced Engaged California, an online platform that allows residents to provide input on state policies. Launched in February, the platform’s first use case focused on gathering feedback from those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
CalHFA has encouraged homeowners to prepare all necessary documentation in advance of the application window opening on June 12. According to the agency, applicants must demonstrate that their home was their primary residence, is no longer habitable due to a qualifying disaster, and that they are currently responsible for mortgage payments on the property.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund is the latest in a series of state initiatives aimed at helping Californians recover from climate-fueled disasters. State data show that thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged in wildfire and flood events over the last two years, leaving many households financially vulnerable.
In its rollout of the new fund, the state has emphasized accessibility and transparency, noting that applying for the grant is free and that all program materials will be available in multiple languages. CalHFA and the Governor’s Office plan to track the distribution of the funds and will release updates to the public as the program progresses.
For more information about eligibility and how to apply, residents can visit the official CalAssist Mortgage Fund website or contact CalHFA’s support line during business hours.
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