California directs nearly $369 million of wildfire aid to low-income housing, not survivors
California allocated almost $369 million of federal wildfire recovery money to affordable-housing developers without requiring them to house fire victims, while many displaced residents still lack assistance.
An investigation revealed that California redirected nearly $369 million of federal wildfire recovery funds to developers of affordable housing, without any requirement to accommodate survivors of the 2018 fires. The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development had earmarked $222.4 million for homeowners, yet only $38 million had been used to rebuild 110 homes by the close of 2023. In contrast, developers received $368.7 million for low-income projects, including a $146.9 million allocation to 14 developments spanning Santa Cruz to Covina.
Individual victims like Mickey Schechter, whose home was destroyed by the Woolsey Fire, report being left with massive rebuilding costs and limited aid. A July 2024 funding round granted $26.1 million to a nonprofit’s 81-unit apartment complex in Agoura Hills, again without a mandate to house fire survivors, raising concerns about increased density along a critical evacuation corridor. State officials defended the spending by saying new apartments replace lost homes, but they noted that survivors are not prioritized in tenant selection.
Why it matters
It shows how disaster aid may bypass victims, raising questions about fairness and housing policy.
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