Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking Washington for more time on the federal lifeline keeping thousands of Los Angeles wildfire survivors housed and afloat. On Friday, he formally requested an extra year of disaster assistance for residents still digging out from last year’s devastating fires, pushing for a 12-month extension of FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program so people can keep getting housing and financial help.
State officials say plenty of families are nowhere near finished rebuilding. Insurance delays, a tight contractor market and lingering supply-chain issues have left many survivors either displaced or stuck in neutral on reconstruction.
As reported by CBS Los Angeles, Newsom wants FEMA to keep the IHP running through July 9, 2027. His office told the station that almost 30,000 households may be eligible for the program and that roughly 1,000 households are still receiving FEMA’s continued temporary housing assistance. Rep. Judy Chu backed the move at a news conference, calling it a way to provide “desperately needed infusions of federal funds for rebuilding and recovery.”
Where survivors stand
On paper, the state has moved quickly. In a Jan. 5, 2026 update, the governor’s office reported more than 6,100 rebuild applications submitted and about 2,600 rebuilding permits issued, with thousands of additional applications still under review. Officials tout streamlined permitting and a large-scale debris-removal push as proof of progress.
But paperwork and cleared lots do not automatically translate into houses. The state acknowledges that unresolved insurance claims and limited construction capacity are preventing many projects from actually breaking ground, leaving survivors stuck between demolished homes and delayed rebuilds.
How FEMA help works
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is the main federal tool here. It offers eligible disaster survivors temporary housing assistance, rental support and limited grants for home repairs and other fire-related needs, according to a Congress.gov report that outlines how the program operates. Normally, that aid has a firm time limit.
If FEMA signs off on California’s request, the extension would keep those temporary housing payments and related assistance available longer while families wrestle with insurers, line up contractors and lock in actual rebuilding plans.
What happens next
Newsom’s request is a formal appeal, not a done deal. FEMA will review California’s case and decide whether to grant the extra year of help. If the agency agrees, eligible households could continue receiving federal housing or rental aid through July 9, 2027, effectively buying some families more time to settle insurance disputes and get construction started.
State leaders say they are pushing federal officials for a quick call and are still coordinating permitting, outreach and technical assistance for wildfire survivors. Local residents weighing whether and how to rebuild are being urged to stay plugged into state and county recovery channels for up-to-date resources, requirements and deadlines.
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