Summary of DFPI Response to LA Firestorm
Since the firestorm in the Los Angeles area began on January 7, 2025, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has spent the past month coordinating relief and resources to support affected California consumers.
Below are some of the key activities completed so far. We’re committed to supporting the recovery for our licensees and for all Californians.
Mortgage Relief Efforts
As a part of Governor Newsom’s effort to negotiate mortgage relief for Californians, DFPI Acting Commissioner KC Mohseni reached out to all state-chartered banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders and servicers, seeking a commitment to provide relief to Californians impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
In tandem with Governor Gavin Newsom’s media release, the DFPI published and continues to update a list of all state-chartered banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders and servicers, who committed to providing relief to Californians impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. As of Feb. 6, the DFPI has received commitments for mortgage relief from 418 financial institutions. The full list can be found here: dfpi.ca.gov/lafires/relief.
Sharing Resources
The DFPI Public Affairs division created dfpi.ca.gov/lafires, a special webpage for victims of the Los Angeles area fires that directs to information and resources for homeowners and residents regarding mortgage relief and forbearance, guidance on avoiding frauds and scams, information on student loans, and emergency housing options.
On Feb. 6, the DFPI Public Affairs division distributed the following printable PDF resources to more than 100 community-based organizations in the Los Angeles area with information about how to access mortgage relief and how to avoid fraud and scams during emergency situations.
Prioritizing Consumer Complaints
The DFPI Consumer Services Office has worked overtime to ensure that survivors of the fire are getting timely support from the DFPI and the financial institutions with which they do business. As of Feb. 5, the DFPI has fielded 23 telephone calls, 12 email messages, and 24 complaints on financial services issues resulting from the Los Angeles Fires.
Media & Outreach
On Jan. 27, Azalea Iniguez of NBC Univision Los Angeles requested a Spanish-speaking DFPI representative to provide on-air tips on how to best access fire relief resources and how to avoid scams related to the fires. DFPI outreach specialist Antonia Villasenor gave a brief on-camera interview in Spanish to Iniguez. See the full segment below or on the Telemundo 52 website.
Villasenor will also participate in the LA Wildfire Resource Webinar for insurance, mortgage and economic relief. The webinar is sponsored by Faith and Community Empowerment Los Angeles, an Asian-American advocacy and community organizing group (FaceLA.org). State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, the US Small Business Association, and the DFPI, along with several local businesses, are partnering in the event. Ms. Villasenor will give a brief presentation on disaster relief assistance for mortgages and participate in a breakout session with other experts and members of the public.
On-the-Ground Support
DFPI Public Affairs Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Smith was deployed to the Joint Information Center in Pasadena as support for the fire recovery effort. She is expected to be onsite in Pasadena through Feb. 13.
To learn more and stay up to date on the latest information, please visit our website at dfpi.ca.gov/lafires. We will continue to update this page as new resources become available.
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