HUD Extends Foreclosure Relief for California Wildfire Survivors: What It Means and How to Get Help

# HUD extends foreclosure relief for California wildfire survivors If you are already dealing with abuse, housing instability, or the aftermath of a disaster, news like this can feel overwhelming. This update may offer some breathing room: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced an extension of foreclosure relief for Californians impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires. This guide explains what the update means, who may benefit, and what to do next if you are worried about losing your home or need help staying safe. ## What happened HUD extended foreclosure relief for certain California homeowners affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires. In practical terms, this kind of relief usually means lenders or mortgage servicers are given more time or flexibility before moving forward with foreclosure-related actions for eligible borrowers. Because the source notice is brief, some details may depend on the specific mortgage program, lender, and your situation. If you are unsure whether you qualify, it is still worth asking for help right away. ## Why this matters For people experiencing domestic violence, disaster recovery can make an already dangerous situation harder: - You may have lost income, documents, transportation, or access to your home. - An abusive partner may control the mortgage, mail, online accounts, or communication with the lender. - You may be trying to leave an unsafe home while also worrying about housing costs. - Stress, grief, and trauma can make it harder to make calls, gather paperwork, or understand notices. Foreclosure relief can create time. Time can mean a safer plan, a chance to replace documents, or an opportunity to connect with a housing counselor, legal aid, or domestic violence advocate. ## Who may be impacted This update may matter most for people who: - Own a home in California and were affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires - Have a mortgage that is at risk of delinquency or foreclosure - Need more time to recover financially after the disaster - Are separated from household paperwork because of abuse, evacuation, or displacement - Share a mortgage with an abusive partner and need help communicating with the lender safely If you rent, this specific foreclosure relief may not apply directly to you. However, you may still be eligible for other disaster assistance, housing support, or domestic violence services. ## What this may mean for you Depending on your mortgage and eligibility, foreclosure relief may: - Pause or delay foreclosure actions - Give you extra time to catch up or request a workout option - Reduce immediate pressure from lender notices - Open a window to apply for disaster-related assistance Important: relief does not always happen automatically. You may still need to contact your mortgage servicer, submit a request, or prove that you were affected by the wildfires. ## Gentle next steps if you are affected You do not have to do everything at once. If it helps, start with just one step. ### 1) Check for any foreclosure or mortgage notices Look for letters, emails, texts, voicemail messages, or online account alerts from your mortgage company or servicer. If it is safe, save them. If you are in danger and checking mail could expose you to an abusive person, consider asking a trusted friend, advocate, or attorney to help review notices. ### 2) Gather only the documents you can safely access Helpful items may include: - Mortgage statement or loan number - Proof of identity - Proof of wildfire impact, if available - Insurance or disaster assistance paperwork - Any letters showing missed payments or foreclosure timelines If you cannot find documents, do not wait to ask for help. A housing counselor or legal aid office may still be able to guide you. ### 3) Contact your mortgage servicer carefully You can ask whether wildfire-related foreclosure relief applies to your loan. You may say: > I was impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires and I am asking whether foreclosure relief, forbearance, or other loss-mitigation options are available on my mortgage. If speaking with the servicer is unsafe because an abusive partner monitors your calls or mail, ask an advocate about safer ways to communicate, such as email, a third-party contact, or a mailing address that is not accessible to the abusive person. ### 4) Ask for a HUD-approved housing counselor HUD-approved housing counselors can help you understand mortgage options, foreclosure timelines, and next steps at no cost. They can also help you organize paperwork and communicate with your servicer. Find help through HUD’s housing counseling resources or by calling HUD’s housing counseling line. ### 5) Reach out to legal aid if foreclosure is already moving forward If you received a foreclosure notice, a court paper, or a sale date, contact legal aid immediately. Disaster-related protections can be time-sensitive. Legal aid may also help if: - Your spouse or partner is the only person on the mortgage paperwork - You need help proving occupancy or ownership - You are trying to protect your address or keep your location confidential - You need help understanding your rights after a disaster ### 6) Connect with a domestic violence advocate If abuse is part of your situation, a DV advocate can help you think through safety, housing, and communication with the lender. They can help you make a plan that fits your risk level. ## Safety reminders Your safety matters more than completing paperwork quickly. - Do not use a phone, email account, or device that an abusive person monitors if that could put you at risk. - Clear browser history or use a safer device if you are searching for help. - If you are hiding your location, ask advocates about confidential mailing addresses and safe contact methods. - If you are worried that contacting a lender could escalate abuse, ask a DV advocate or legal aid office to help you plan the conversation. - If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. ## Where to seek help ### Domestic violence support - **National Domestic Violence Hotline:** 800-799-7233 - **Text:** START to 88788 - **Chat:** thehotline.org If you are outside the U.S. or need local support, a shelter or crisis center can help connect you to services. ### Housing and foreclosure help - **HUD-approved housing counselors:** Free help with mortgage and foreclosure questions - **HUD housing counseling line:** 800-569-4287 - **Legal aid:** Search for your county’s legal aid office or disaster legal services ### Disaster assistance - **FEMA:** disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362 - **211:** Local referrals for housing, food, shelter, and recovery resources ## If you are supporting someone else If a friend, client, tenant, or family member is affected: - Ask what feels safest before offering to call anyone. - Help them write down questions for the lender or counselor. - Offer to sit with them while they make calls, if that is safe. - Avoid pressuring them to disclose abuse or disaster details before they are ready. - Focus on practical support: transportation, childcare, document storage, or a quiet place to make calls. ## What is still uncertain The HUD notice confirms an extension of foreclosure relief for Californians impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires, but the brief announcement does not spell out every eligibility rule in the source summary. The exact protections, deadlines, and whether relief is automatic may depend on the mortgage type and the servicer’s process. Because of that, the safest approach is to ask for help early, even if you are not sure you qualify. ## A calm reminder If you are reading this while scared, exhausted, or trying to stay hidden, you do not need to solve everything today. One safe call, one message, or one advocate can be enough to begin. If you want, start with this sentence: > I was affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires and I need help understanding my housing and foreclosure options. You deserve support, clear information, and time to make safe decisions.