California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) requested that Congress appropriate nearly $40 billion to support communities affected by the wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles region last month. Noting that “hurricane-force wind drive fires” destroyed 16,251 structures as more than 16,000 personnel battled the blazes, Newsom said that the requested funds would bolster “the immediate and long-term recovery work needed to rebuild lives and properties from this catastrophic event.” Newsom also said that he expects that as the state continues to evaluate and assess the wildfire damage, “we expect to identify additional funding needs to help these communities recover.”
A comprehensive breakdown of the funding request explained that $5.29 billion would help provide low-interest loans to businesses, non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. Another $4.32 billion would go toward business grants, which would both help boost recovery and prevent economic hardship that could stem from future wildfire events. In addition, $2 billion would be allocated for low-income housing tax credits. The request also states that about $16.8 billion would provide public assistance for community and private property recovery, such as hazardous household materials and debris removal, road and bridge repairs, public utility works and school district needs. And some $9.9 billion would help address the considerable damage to housing and infrastructure, including through the distribution of federal block grants appropriated for community disaster recovery. Republicans in Congress and some Administration officials are warning, however, that there will be conditions attached to any aid provided to California.