FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Huáscar Robles, hrobles@lahsa.org
Los Angeles – On Tuesday, January 21, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help people experiencing homelessness apply for FEMA assistance. Per FEMA rules, FEMA assistance is available to disaster survivors experiencing homelessness or residing in non-traditional housing, such as a tent or lean-to type of home before the disaster. LAHSA hosted this event at its Welcome Navigation Center interim housing facility and helped 45 people register for federal assistance to help recover from the region’s devastating fires.
“The crisis we are facing in Los Angeles is unprecedented. LAHSA is partnering with FEMA to ensure as many of our eligible people experiencing homelessness as possible have access to the resources they need to recover,” said LAHSA CEO Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum. “LAHSA will continue to work with its partners and develop innovative ways to help our unhoused neighbors move down the path toward permanent housing.”
At the event, FEMA and LAHSA employees teamed up to assist with applications and determine eligibility for FEMA aid. By applying for FEMA funding, participants could potentially receive:
- Serious needs assistance
- Displacement assistance
- Personal property assistance
- Other needs assistance such as dental and transportation
“FEMA’s number one priority is supporting individuals and communities who have suffered losses because of the recent wildfires in California,” said Rebecca Kelly, FEMA Media Relations Specialist. ”We are proud to partner with LAHSA at this unique opportunity to support LA’s unhoused community.”
During the course of the event, LAHSA and FEMA provided approximately two hours of assistance per applicant. Applicants will receive a response from FEMA over the next few weeks. The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation assisted with getting participants to the event and staff from Los Angeles County's Department of Public Social Services was on hand to connect people with additional local resources.
In addition to applying for assistance, participants received supplies, such as backpacks, masks, water, socks, bedding, and hygiene kits, which were donated by several organizations, including:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha – Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter
- Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Fabletics
- Top Teens of America – Ladera Height Chapter
Tuesday’s event was not the only way people experiencing homelessness affected by the fires can apply for FEMA assistance. Anyone affected by the fire can call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, visit FEMA's Disaster Assistance webpage here or visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to apply for assistance.
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is located at 10850 W. Pico Monday thru Sunday 9am – 8pm for one-on-one help registering for FEMA Disaster Assistance or to receive answers to your questions about recovery services that you may be eligible for.