HPP Cares Director of Grants & Public Engagement Ebony Richardson at a disaster site with LA County Supervisor 5th District Kathryn Barger (HPP Cares/Courtesy photo)

In the wake of the numerous fires that ravaged homes and devastated communities across Los Angeles in early January—most destructively, the Eaton and Palisades fires—HPP Cares, a HUD-certified California nonprofit specializing in housing counseling, is offering those affected services and tips on navigating a challenging recovery process.

With disaster recovery sites in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and newly Altadena, HPP Cares is focusing on core services that ensure every member of the community has access to necessary resources for rebuilding their homes and restoring financial health. Among these are: housing counseling and financial support, mortgage support, insurance assistance, and help with the assessment and inspection processes for property rebuilds.

HPP Cares Executive Director Katherine Peoples said, “One of the biggest hurdles families face as they begin to rebuild is securing permanent housing, which may be needed for 2 to 3 years while they navigate the rebuilding process and work toward regaining a sense of normalcy. Many families are also struggling to find housing near their workplaces and schools. In areas like Los Angeles, where housing options are already limited, families must contend with long commutes, from Riverside to the Palisades.”

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At such a vulnerable time, while juggling numerous challenges and considering a range of factors in their urgent housing searches—such as proximity to work and school, and housing costs that are often affected by price gouging—families impacted by the fires, and especially those with limited resources, can easily be taken advantage of or left flailing.

This is an important consideration in the work of HPP Cares.

To ensure affected Angelenos avoid scams, HPP Cares offers individual guidance for those navigating FEMA and SBA processes. Generally,  however, the organization advises Angelenos to ask specific questions that make clear duration, fees, contract terms, and mail access when working with FEMA or anyone offering housing programs. Additionally, HPP Cares suggests that homeowners should be wary of anyone guaranteeing FEMA vouchers or making promises of monetary donations.

False promises can be alluring when there appears to be nowhere to turn, which describes the sentiments of many victims of the Eaton Fire, in particular.

“This situation highlights the tale of two cities,” said Peoples.

“On one hand, higher-net-worth individuals in the Palisades have already received significant housing and food assistance, as well as about a third of their rebuilding funds (from insurance carriers), but are focused on securing housing near their work and schools. On the other hand, families in areas like Altadena and Pasadena face the additional challenge of having inadequate or no insurance coverage, leaving them uncertain about how to survive, let alone rebuild their lives.”

HPP Cares advises, if you don’t have insurance, do not rush to sell your home. If you do, beware of construction fraud as you plan to rebuild, and don’t be intimidated into settling for a low settlement on your policy. Before contacting your insurance company, peruse your photos on your cell phone and start to make a list of personal effects, document each conversation, noting the name of the representative you speak with, and request that all correspondence be sent via email or to an alternative mailing address, if necessary. Communicate your situation with detail, being prepared to answer all questions they may have. Lastly, be sure to inquire about assistance programs.

All of this information and much more may be found in HPP Cares’ step-by-step manuals for both renters and homeowners to follow on their journey back to a healthy normalcy. The organization has also put together a fire resource booklet filled with detailed forms and specific up-to-date information to assist those impacted at this time. The Guidebook for Families, Homeowners, Communities and Small Businesses is accessible online.

To learn more, visit their website at HPPCares.org or contact info@hppcares.org.