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alifornia has raised the income ceiling for the $105 million CalAssist Mortgage Fund, a grant launched in June to aid natural‑disaster victims. The threshold for Los Angeles households now climbs from $140,700 to $211,050. The program assists anyone whose home was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by any of 30 state‑wide disasters since 2023, though most disbursements have gone to those affected by the January wildfires, according to Rebecca Franklin, chief deputy director of the California Housing Finance Agency. Eligible families receive up to three months of mortgage relief, capped at $20,000.

    Since its launch, CalAssist has awarded $3 million: 80 % to Eaton Fire survivors, 17 % to Palisades Fire survivors, and 3 % to victims elsewhere. The previous income limit matched 100 % of Los Angeles County’s area median income; the new figure represents 150 %, effectively doubling the number of qualifying disaster survivors. Franklin noted that while the initial focus was on low‑income households, the expansion now includes homeowners who, though not in the lowest bracket, still face financial distress.

    The agency notified roughly 900 applicants who previously fell short of the earlier threshold, urging them to re‑apply under the revised criteria. Lori Gay, president and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, praised the increase, saying it offers “a great space for a lot of people.” She added that the relief “allows families to breathe and see a future again.”