It goes without saying that there's really only subject occupying everyone's mind in Los Angeles this week. Given that many of us have spent the past several days doomscrolling and freaking out about evacuation alerts, I won't spend more time recirculating some of the tragic stories that have come out of Altadena and Pacific Palisades, because at this point you've probably seen it. However, I will point readers toward ways to help victims and ongoing coverage from the LA Times and LAist, and provide this list of resources via a news release from Mayor Bass:

HOUSING AND SHELTER SUPPORT:

  • FEMA announced additional resources that affected Angelenos can access now. Residents can go to disasterassistance.gov to apply for FEMA assistance. Additional information and guidance is available at emergency.lacity.gov/recovery.
  • The California Department of Insurance is available to assist affected Angelenos as they begin working with insurance agents or brokers. They are encouraged to call 1-800-927-4357 or visit the Insurance Wildfire Resources to ask questions about insurance coverage and/or disputes with insurance agencies. 
  • AirBnB is providing free, emergency housing for 25,000 individuals affected by the Los Angeles fires through 211LA. Over 6,500 Angelenos have been offered this resource by AirBnB. Get started here.
  • Doordash is providing $150,000 in DoorDash Community Credits to first responders and organizations on the ground and established a Restaurant Assistance fund. More here. 
  • To offer immediate support to the L.A. community, Instacart is waiving delivery fees on groceries and other essential goods for orders over $10 in Los Angeles. More here. 
  • Uber is providing rides up to $40 for residents to get to temporary shelters -  riders must apply the promo code “WILDFIRE25”
  • HALA has compiled a list of various hotels that are offering discounts for evacuees and those impacted by the fire. LA Fire Hotel Availability Jan. 2025 - Google Sheets
  • East West Bank is offering a Skip a Pay program to any loan customer in Southern California who requests help due to the fires. The program will be rolled out next week. With no questions asked and no application needed, loan customers will be eligible to skip their next monthly payment and pay it instead one year from now. This will help fire victims not worry about a monthly bank payment. 

IMPACTED BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS:

  • Californians who are unemployed due to the L.A. fires should apply for benefits right away, here. Governor Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency, which includes waiver of the usual 1-week unpaid waiting period for fire victims. This means those who are eligible will receive their first benefit payment sooner.
  • Employers in L.A. County may request up to a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes.
  • There are resources available to support workers and employers transitioning roles and responsibilities. More information here and here. 

Get Help at BusinessSource Centers

  • The City’s 10 BusinessSource Centers (BSCs) can provide free one-on-one consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans. To find a complete list of BusinessSource Centers, use this Interactive Map.
  • Los Angeles Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program provides free legal services to qualified small businesses on a number of legal issues such as review of commercial leases, assistance in communicating with landlords, reviewing insurance policies, navigating insurance claims, among other services. Contact Bet Tzedek to get these FREE legal assistance services. For more information, visit lalegalhelp.org or call 1-866-375-9511.

Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Services

Rapid Response (RR) activities are designed to respond to layoffs by coordinating services to provide immediate assistance to employers and affected workers. RR activities include, but are not limited to, the provision of information and access to unemployment compensation benefits, continued health care, employment and training services (including those provided by the WorkSource and BusinessSource systems), emergency services, and other significant services.

  • Layoff Aversion Support - The Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles (LAEDC) offers no-cost consulting services to help businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs.
  • Job Loss Assistance - Schedule an orientation to learn of the resources available to individuals who lost or will be losing their job due to no fault of their own.

Additional business resources offered by the Economic and Workforce Development Department:

  • The Business Response Unit is a one-stop shop for business assistance - businesses in the City of Los Angeles can submit any question and receive specialized help. 
  • Business Credit and Debt Counseling is available to help business owners counter negative financial impacts, recover, and strengthen their financial health.
  • Small Business Loans with customized fair and flexible terms can be used for a wide variety of business needs, including equipment purchases, working capital, and acquisitions.

Resources Available Through the Federal Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering Disaster Loans for Los Angeles County victims of the wind and wildfire events. Home Disaster Loans, Business Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans are all available programs through the SBA.

YOUTH ASSISTANCE:

  • The City of Los Angeles has 14 YouthSource Centers (YSC) located throughout the region that provide young Angelenos ages 14-24 the support and resources they need to succeed in life through access to education, paid work experience, and occupational skills training.
  • FamilySource Centers (FSC) are a one-stop shop in your neighborhood for social, educational, work, and family support services. With 19 locations established in the City of Los Angeles, we can help you find the resources to increase your family income, establish financial security, and build academic success. Please click this Interactive Map of FamilySource Centers.

ADDITIONAL CITY SERVICES:

  • After the evacuation orders were lifted for the Sunset Fire, LAHSA coordinated with the Mayor’s Office, LADOT, elected office staff, and service providers to transport evacuated participants back to their site of origin. This effort could not have been successful without the support of all our partners.  
  • 311 is available 24/7 to report tree emergencies, street blockages and other issues.

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In the meantime, here are some other things we've been keeping track of this week:

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced yesterday that the 2025 Greater Los Angeles homeless count is to be postponed for at least 30 days on account of the ongoing wildfires. The decision has been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The safety and well-being of our community, including those experiencing homelessness, is our top priority,” said LAHSA chief executive officer Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum in a statement. “We are grateful to HUD for their understanding and flexibility in granting this postponement. This will allow us to conduct the point-in-time count when conditions are safe and ensure that we obtain reliable data that accurately reflects the current state of homelessness in our community.” 

A new date for the homeless count has not been determined at this point in time.

23903 S. Normandie AvenueCushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield announced this week that it has arranged the sale of a nearly five-acre site at 23903 S. Normandie Avenue in Harbor City to the City of Los Angeles for $12 million. The city will redevelop the property as an electric bus charging facility for LADOT.

"The sale of this property marks a win-win scenario for all parties as well as for the greater Los Angeles community and its transportation services network and ridership," said Jeffrey Morgan  of Cushman & Wakefield. "The new facility will also assist in the state’s effort for a cleaner and more sustainable environment."

The Courtyard Buiding at The LotGoogle Maps

CIM Group has announced that Miramax has inked a long-term lease to move its headquarters to a 16,000-square-foot space at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood. The 11-acre property, which has been in operation since 1918, was the location of classic films like Some Like it Hot and West Side Story.

CIM Group's Blake Eckert and Nichole Mihalka and Hayley Blockley of JLL represented the property owner, while Miramax was represented by CBRE's Pat Moody and Clay Hammerstein.

8601 S. Vermont AvenueGoogle Street View

Finally, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has announced the acquisition of a vacant commercial building at 8601 S. Vermont Avenue.

The 5,290-square-foot building sits along the future route of the Vermont bus rapid transit line, and across the street from an under-construction mixed-use development featuring affordable housing, a boarding school, and a new Target store. Community Coalition acquired the site in partnership with the County, and is expected to partner with Primestor Development to restore the building as a multi-tenant commercial property.

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