Housing resources and assistance for victims of the LA fires
Real estate and mortgage companies are springing into action to help housing professionals and the Southern California community as wildfires ravage the area. Here’s an overview of the companies and people offering help, which will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Southern California, which is affiliated with Everywherecreated one Facebook group page for its network to “coordinate a wide range of needs from short and long term housing, temporary housing for pets, providing trucks for moving boxes and large items, locations where people can get Wi-Fi and charge phones , offers to help with calling for hotel accommodations and general messages about care, tips and support,” a representative said HousingWire.
The representative also said that any Coldwell Banker offices that have the ability to remain open in the area are being promoted and used as safe havens.
Jason Oppenheim, founder and chairman of The Oppenheim Groupis offering to represent anyone who has been displaced for free. He will help them find a rental property and will credit them with the commission paid. “This is our time to be able to give back,” Oppenheim said said in one Instagram Reel posted on Thursday. “As real estate agents we have a duty to help [people] finding a place, even if it becomes difficult.”
Relocation assistance
Sean Bruener, founder and CEO of a short-term rental company AvantStay, posted on LinkedIn that his team is committed to providing relocation support.
“If you need help with your move, we have family-friendly, pet-friendly homes available in nearby markets that are safe: Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Big Bear, San Diego, Temecula, Orange County and more,” Breuner wrote. “Contact our guest experience team at [email protected] and we will do our best to find you a landing place.’
Airbnb helps connect survivors and first responders with emergency housing through a local nonprofit, 211LA. The help, You can request this via an intake formis specifically aimed at residents who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas.
Matthew Woods, CEO of Apartment list, also went to LinkedIn to pledge assistance for the company’s Home Bridge program, which helps displaced families find a place to live in times of crisis. Woods’ post sent a plea to the housing community: “If you are an owner or operator in the Los Angeles area and can donate homes, WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you are a supplier in our industry that can provide furniture or moving assistance, WE NEED YOUR HELP.”
Exemption from costs
RentSpreea rental platform that offers tenant screening and software services, promised to provide financial assistance. The company said it will refund application fees to individuals needing to rent property following damage and/or displacement caused by the fires. A The company announced this on Thursday also offered to any agent, owner or landlord working with displaced residents that they would refund all application fees.
New American Funding (NAF) will provide forbearance assistance to customers whose homes are uninhabitable or who are unable to work due to the wildfires, which could come in the form of monthly payment deferrals, repayment plans or loan modifications. NAF customer service representatives can be reached at 800.893.5304 or [email protected]and are available to provide information about forbearance options and to assist with insurance company and policy information. “New American Funding (NAF) has initiated its emergency response plan due to the current wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our customers, employees and residents in the affected communities,” the company said in a statement.
Help for home construction professionals
KW Worriesa 501(c)(3) public charity established to support Keller Williams employees and their families in times of emergency, “is actively working with its KW leaders at the regional and franchise levels through ongoing preparedness calls to assist officers in and around affected areas of California.” The charity provides emergency grants, supplies and assistance to officers and their immediate families.
Real estate everywhere has opened the Anywhere Disaster Relief Fund through her charitable foundation Anywhere Gives to provide direct assistance to her family of employees, franchisees and independent sales agents affected by the fires.
