How to Rebuild After a Wildfire - Disaster Recovery Guide
https://nextdoor.com/ - you can ask surrounding neighbors for what you need or how to find it. Many people will give you what they have if they know you need it or provide additional resources that are not provided in this guide.
Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network: Food, clothing, etc. They provide a comprehensive and updated list of resources for every possible need: https://www.mutualaid.la/resources
Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance
If you or someone you know has been displaced, these organizations can help provide temporary and long-term housing solutions:
American Red Cross: Provides temporary shelters, transitional housing, and emergency relief supplies. Contact Information: 1-800-733-2767 Website: www.redcross.org How to Access: Call their hotline or use their website to locate a local shelter or request housing assistance.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Offers housing assistance, including rental assistance and lodging expense reimbursement. Contact Information: 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA Helpline) Website: www.disasterassistance.gov How to Access: File a FEMA claim online or call the helpline to apply for housing assistance.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA): Provides resources for temporary housing. Contact Information: 1-213-683-3333 Website: www.lahsa.org How to Access: Use their crisis hotline or visit their website to get connected to housing services.
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD): Assists with disaster-related housing needs and rebuilding efforts. Contact Information: 1-800-952-8356 Website: www.hcd.ca.gov
Additional Housing Resources
LA County Recovers
A centralized resource for wildfire recovery in Los Angeles County, including Pacific Palisades. Offers housing, food, and essential supplies. What They Offer: Temporary housing, food assistance, and recovery resources. Contact: (213) 974-1234 URL: https://lacounty.gov/recovery/
Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness
Works with The People Concern to provide housing, food, and essential services to displaced individuals and families. What They Offer: Temporary housing, food, and clothing assistance. Contact: [email protected] URL: https://www.pptfh.org/
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
A federal program that provides financial assistance to families with children to help them achieve stability. What They Offer: Financial aid for housing, food, and essential supplies. Contact: (877) 847-3663 URL: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf
Financial Assistance
Many families impacted by the wildfire are eligible for financial aid to help them recover.
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
Provides disaster recovery assistance, including financial grants and loans for survivors. Contact Information: 1-916-845-8510 Website: www.caloes.ca.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
Offers low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses impacted by disasters. Contact Information: 1-800-659-2955 Website: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Provides financial relief and connects families with additional resources for rebuilding. Contact Information: 1-213-808-6220 Website: www.unitedwayla.org
Dolly Parton's My People Fund
Offers financial assistance to families displaced by wildfires. Website: www.dollyfoundation.org
Food Assistance
For those struggling to access food after the wildfire, these organizations can help:
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Provides free food and meals to families in need. Contact Information: 1-323-234-3030 Website: www.lafoodbank.org
CalFresh (California SNAP Program)
Helps low-income families purchase groceries. 877-847-3663 www.getcalfresh.org
World Central Kitchen
Provides free meals during disasters. Website: www.wck.org
LA Regional Food Bank
Free food and essential supplies like bottled water, and hygiene kits. Contact: (323) 234-3030 URL: https://www.lafoodbank.org/
Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network: Connects individuals with resources for food, clothing, and other essentials in their updated list of resources here: https://www.mutualaid.la/resources
Westside Food Bank: Provides food assistance to individuals and families in need across the Westside, including Santa Monica, Venice, and Pacific Palisades. (310) 828-6016 westsidefoodbankca.org/
The People Concern: Offers shelter, food, and essential supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Monica, Venice, and surrounding areas. (310) 264-6646 https://www.thepeopleconcern.org/
Emergency Medical Care and Supplies
Access to medical care, prescriptions, and essential supplies is critical. Here are some resources:
Direct Relief
Provides emergency medical supplies and medication to disaster survivors. Website: www.directrelief.org
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Offers public health services and emergency health resources. Contact 916-558-1784 Website: www.cdph.ca.gov
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Offers free or low-cost clinics for medical care. Website: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Rx Open
Tracks the status of open pharmacies during disasters so survivors can access prescriptions. Website: www.healthcareready.org/rxopen
Teladoc Health: Offers free, 24/7 virtual medical care for non-emergency illnesses to those impacted by the fires. They also assist with prescription refills. https://www.teladochealth.com/
Crisis Counseling: CalHope provides crisis counseling services; call (833) 317-HOPE or visit CalHope.org
Integrative Psychotherapy Group: Offers free short-term therapy services to help individuals process trauma from the fires. Contact them at (310) 461-4393 or [email protected].
Supplies and Emotional Support
Supplies (Diapers, Blankets, Clothing, etc.)
Survivors often need essentials such as diapers, blankets, and clothing.
Baby2Baby: Provides diapers, clothing, and essentials for families impacted by disasters. Contact Information: 1-323-933-2229 Website: www.baby2baby.org
Salvation Army: Offers clothing, blankets, and household essentials to families in crisis. Contact Information: 1-800-728-7825 Website: www.salvationarmyusa.org
Goodwill Industries: Provides low-cost or free clothing and household items to disaster survivors. Website: www.goodwill.org
Babyletto: Offers free cribs for families in need. Fill out their contact us form or call them at the number provided. https://babyletto.com/
Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network: Food, clothing, etc. Comprehensive list of resources: https://www.mutualaid.la/resources
Heal the Bay (Santa Monica) disaster relief. https://healthebay.org/
Brentwood Presbyterian Church hosts donation drives. (310) 826-5656 https://www.bpcusa.org/
Emotional and Compassionate Support
Mental health and compassionate support are essential during such challenging times.
California HOPE Crisis Counseling Program: Offers free crisis counseling and emotional support for disaster survivors. Contact Information: 1-844-985-4673 Website: www.calhope.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Provides mental health resources and support groups. Contact Information: 1-800-950-6264 Website: www.nami.org
Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 emotional support for those affected by disasters. Contact Information: 1-800-985-5990 Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Mental Health Helplines: Department of Mental Health's 24/7 Helpline: (800) 854-7771
Boys & Girls Club Mental Health Support Services: Call 310-457-6801 ext 74141 or email [email protected].
Recovery and Neighborhood Safety Updates
Understanding the progress of neighborhood restoration and safety is vital.
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Provides updates on wildfire recovery efforts and fire safety guidelines. Contact Information: 1-323-881-2411 Website: www.fire.lacounty.gov
Pacific Palisades Community Council
Shares updates about the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and recovery progress. Website: www.pacpalicc.org
Cal Fire Incident Information
Offers details about wildfire recovery efforts and resources. Website: www.fire.ca.gov/incidents
Tips for Staying Informed
Social Media: Follow organizations like the American Red Cross of Los Angeles for real-time updates on distributions. Conduct a search and follow new organizations gathered recently to help.
American Red Cross of Los Angeles: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles.html
Baby2Baby: Stay updated on their initiatives and distributions.
Baby2Baby: https://baby2baby.org/
Nextdoor: A neighborhood-based platform where you can get localized announcements of donation drives and distribution events and ask surrounding residents for what you need or how to get it.
Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/
Twitter: Many organizations post updates on Twitter. For example, you can follow:
CAL FIRE: https://twitter.com/CALFIRE
Los Angeles County: https://twitter.com/LACounty
Facebook: Many local organizations use Facebook for announcements:
Los Angeles County Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CountyofLosAngeles
City of Los Angeles Emergency Management: For updates regarding city-wide emergencies.
