LA County has disaster relief grants for businesses and workers. You can find all the information here: https://lacounty.gov/relief/ Grants are available for small businesses as well as workers who suffered losses. The application window closes February 24th. Apply NOW! Access information and applications here: https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/small-business-worker-relief-funds/ ----------------------------- THE DISASTER RELIEF CENTER IS NOW OPEN AT 540 WEST WOODBURY ROAD IN ALTADENA. SBA has loans for homeowners at very low interest rates. SBA's Disaster Loan Program is active and accepting applications from Los Angeles County homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profit organizations affected by the fires which began on Jan 7,2025 and continuing: • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. • Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Those impacted homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and business owners can apply online using this link- California wildfires | U.S. Small Business Administration or in person at one of the following centers: LOS ANGELES COUNTY Disaster Recovery Center 540 W Woodbury Road Altadena, CA 91001 Mondays - Sundays, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m The time is scheduled to change on Monday February 10 Mondays - Sundays, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m ---------------------------- WEBINAR: SBA Assistance for LA County Wildfire and Wind Events webinar led by representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn about SBA's disaster loan programs available for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations. Disaster loan programs are available for people located in Los Angeles County. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for small businesses and nonprofits in Kern, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. During this informational webinar you will: • Learn more about the three SBA Disaster loan programs • How to access the loan application and tips for applying • Q & A with SBA representatives All webinars will take place at 9:00 am pacific time. Information The available dates are : • Tuesday (2/18/25) • Thursday (2/20/25) REGISTER HERE. --------------------------- HERE AT THE CHAMBER, WE WANT TO HELP, IF WE CAN. IF YOU SUFFERED LOSSES OR DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. EMAIL PAUL@PASADENA-CHAMBER.ORG ---------------------------------------- THE PASADENA CHAMBER REMAINS A RESOURCE FOR THOSE IMPACTED. IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT PAUL@PASADENA-CHAMBER.ORG. ---------------------------------------- The Door of Hope Board unanimously approved the launch of Door of Hope’s Eaton Fire Housing Assistance Program —a lifeline for displaced families to find safety and rebuild their lives. This program provides critical support through two key initiatives: Transitional Housing for up to 8 families in 2025 As current residents of our Pasadena shelters transition into permanent housing, we will dedicate vacant units to fire victims. These families will have access to safe shelter and Door of Hope’s full range of resources, including housing navigation and support services, to help them regain stability. Housing Assistance & Disaster Case Management for up to 50 families: This brand new service will come alongside very low-income families who have lost their home in the fire and provide: • Disaster Case Management: Helping families navigate FEMA and other community resources, provide crisis support, and develop a roadmap to long-term stable housing • Housing Assistance: Addressing financial and housing gaps not covered by FEMA or insurance, including rent, move-in costs, and other critical needs --------------------------- Here is a link to a (growing) list of businesses that were lost in the Eaton Fire: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mGeGqyOxODpdzom8VUmCzseFVIchueacB68YE4KHdgM/edit?usp=sharing Thank you Chamber member James DiPietro of DiPietro Holdings and Crown City Podcast for sharing the list. IF YOU CAN HELP ANY OF THESE BUSINESSES, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL CONNECT YOU. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have compiled a number of resources for fire victims with information and assistance. (This is not comprehensive, but is what I know as of now.) Please do not hesitate to ask for help or apply for relief. Pasadena Community Foundation has a fire relief fund and is accepting donations to help victims of the Eaton Fire. You can get information and donate at pasadenacf.org. Pasadena Educational Foundation has opened a Fire Response Fund to assist PUSD families harmed by the fire. You can find information at https://pasedfoundation.org/ There are many opportunities to donate items to help those in need. if you donate, please indicate you want your support to go to those impacted by the Eaton Fire. The generosity of local people wanting to aid fire victims has overwhelmed some donation sites. Here are places still accepting donations (as of Friday afternoon): Here is a link to a spreadsheet with a (fairly) comprehensive list of organizations and places to donate items to help victims: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1KMk34XY5dsvVJjAoD2mQUVHYU_Ib6COz6jcGH5uJWDY/htmlview?usp=sharing&urp=gmail_link Representative Judy Chu and her staff have compiled resources and links to assistance here: https://chu.house.gov/EatonFire ----------------------------- The Army Corps of Engineers indicated that ECC is the main contractor for disaster recovery work. ECC, via their website, https://www.ecc.net/ has a popup for local contractors to pre-register if they are interested in partnering with them to perform disaster recovery work in the LA Area. For any contractors interested in debris clean-up work, please submit a Pre-Qualification form via that website as soon as possible. (There is always red tape... It's he government after all.) BUT this could be an opportunity for your company. Here are a few resources for counseling and mental health support: • CALHope: Offers free crisis counseling for disaster survivors calhope.org or 833-317-4673 • Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 emotional support for those affected by natural disasters 1-800-985-5990 or Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 • LA County Department of Mental Health: Offers further resources for individuals and families dealing with trauma. Dmh.lacounty.gov or 1-800-854-7771 Here is a link to the City of Pasadena X (the social media site formerly known as Twitter) feed for up-to-date info: https://x.com/pasadenagov?mx=2 ------------------------------------- City of Pasadena - Eaton Emergency Business Impact Survey The ongoing Eaton Emergency has posed significant challenges to the Pasadena business community. To better understand those challenges and the breadth and depth of impact to local businesses, and to provide tailored advocacy and support, the City of Pasadena Economic Development Division asks that Pasadena business owners please complete the following survey. The survey is 15 questions and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Individual responses will remain confidential, and all information provided will be aggregated and anonymized to ensure privacy. Click here to complete the Survey ------------------------------------ WILDFIRE RELIEF RESOURCES Want Accurate and Up to Date Information? The latest up-to-date information on the current fires can be found through the following: Watch Duty: https://www.watchduty.org/ - a nonprofit that alerts the public of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time. LAist: The culture website has compiled a list of resources: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/resources-for-socal-fire-victims-evacuees-and-first-responders. Mutual Aid LA Network: An extensive list of resources for fire evacuees and folks who want to help. Assistance & Other Services SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: The U.S. SBA announced that certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in LA County may now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage and economic losses caused by wildfires and straight-line winds that began Jan. 7. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Residents & businesses in evacuation zones can apply now for relief at http://disasterassistance.gov. This includes: • Temporary displacement assistance (e.g., hotel costs for 2 weeks) • $770 for essential personal items • Large grants for needs like medical bills & car repairs You can also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. FEMA Assistance is available for residents impacted by LA County wildfires How to Apply There are three ways to apply: 1. Online at DisasterAssistance.gov If you have access to the internet and your electronic devices have power, applying online is easiest, fastest, and most convenient. 2. On the FEMA App for mobile devices 3. The FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 Calls are accepted every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay, captioned telephone, or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. 4. At a Disaster Recovery Center LA County survivors who have damage to their home, personal property, or disaster-caused emergency needs due to the wildfires can get in-person assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center. At DRCs, survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, speak to representatives from state and federal agencies, receive updates on the FEMA application for assistance and learn about the appeals process. Multilingual Resources from the California Department of Insurance: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's office is offering timely resources on their webpage. Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief: You may be eligible for tax relief if your property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding. To qualify, you must file an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (ADS-820) with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. The loss must exceed $10,000 of current market value. https://assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief 211 LA: provides assistance and referrals to local resources for housing, food, health, and other services. Dial 211 or visit 211la.org. CAR Rentals: An extensive list of resources is available from the California Apartment Rentals Association. The American Red Cross offers shelter, meals, and emotional support. Visit Red Cross Find Open Shelters or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) Asbestos Care: Wildfires present numerous hazards, yet one often underestimated risk is asbestos exposure. During fires, asbestos and other cancer-causing minerals can be released into the air as buildings burn, posing severe health risks. Follow the link to learn more about toxins released by older/outdated insulation. How to Help Red Cross Los Angeles: The Red Cross is helping those impacted by fires. If you would like to help you can donate money, volunteer or give blood. Volunteer shifts must be scheduled in advance! Visit the following link for more details. https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/volunteer.html Union Station Homeless Services: Union Station Homeless Services has had to evacuate a number of sites within the emergency evacuation zones and is urgently working to provide essential support to those affected. If you would like to help you can donate money, provide in-kind donations or volunteer. For more information, visit https://ushs.org/emergency Habitat for Humanity is thinking forward regarding the time to rebuild. Among the many worthy causes during the current natural disaster in Southern California, This means future volunteers for when it's time, gathering building materials, and locating warehouse space now to hold the materials until they are needed. Where to Volunteer Google Doc: A constantly updated list of opportunities for where to make a difference. Other places to donate: California Fire Foundation LA Fire Department California Community Foundation Pasadena Humane Society World Central Kitchen