Federal officials have extended the deadline for residents affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires to apply for assistance with debris removal and have expanded eligibility to include more homes. As the recovery process from the Palisades and Eaton fires continues, the next step in rebuilding involves clearing the debris left behind. FEMA, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is leading a federally-backed program to help residents with the cleanup.
Initially, only single-family homes were eligible for the debris removal program. However, following a request from California, FEMA announced that eligibility has been expanded to include certain multifamily properties, such as duplexes and condos. As a result, thousands more people are now eligible for assistance.
To participate in the program, residents must submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form, granting the government permission to access their property for cleanup. FEMA has extended the deadline to submit these forms to April 15, allowing additional property owners to apply.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office also clarified that commercial properties and multifamily rental units will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the immediate public safety threat and accessibility issues will be considered.
All property owners in the affected areas, even those opting out of the program, must submit the ROE forms. For single-family property owners, the process is simple—just fill out the form and submit it. For multifamily properties, the process is more involved, requiring each unit owner in a condo complex to submit an ROE form in addition to the homeowner’s association.
