Gavin Newsom Enhances California’s Mortgage Relief Initiative
‘Keeping It Real’ podcast host Jillian Michaels discusses social media addiction as tech giants face trial and calls out California leadership over the wildfires on ‘Varney & Co.’
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is making headlines with a bold move aimed at supporting California homeowners affected by wildfires. In a direct critique of the Trump administration, he has expanded a state mortgage relief program to provide up to $100,000 per household. This initiative comes as he accuses the White House of neglecting the needs of fire survivors in California.
On Thursday, Newsom unveiled a significant enhancement to the mortgage relief program, extending the duration of assistance from three months to a full year. This change allows disaster-affected homeowners to receive up to $100,000 in mortgage payment relief, a substantial increase from the previous cap of $20,000.
According to a state press release, these funds are structured as non-repayable grants, with payments made directly to mortgage providers. So far, approximately $6.5 million has been distributed to 793 recipients, primarily from the Palisades and Eaton fires. Notably, a significant portion of the program’s $1 billion budget remains available for future assistance.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS FACE BRUTAL CHOICE ONE YEAR AFTER LOS ANGELES FIRES DESTROYED THEIR LIVES
As of now, Gov. Newsom’s office has not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the program’s implementation.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, attends the 62nd Munich Security Conference Feb. 13, 2026. (Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)
This initiative marks a significant shift in Sacramento’s approach, aiming to provide immediate financial relief to homeowners while bypassing a stalled federal disaster package. In a recent press release, Newsom criticized President Trump’s response to the crisis, labeling it a “lie” and a “disgrace.” He emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of its residents.
“We’ve been on the ground, listening and adjusting to meet people’s evolving needs. That’s why we’re expanding this program — to close the gap between relief and long-term recovery and make sure folks get the help they need to move forward,” Newsom stated.
FOX Business’ Stuart Varney analyzes a scathing New York Times op-ed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, examining the exodus of over 1 million residents, the state’s dead-last affordability ranking and the strategic liability he poses to his party.
However, federal officials from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the White House contend that $3.2 billion in federal loans have already been approved but are being hindered by California’s “local permitting backlogs” and “red tape.” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has described the state’s permitting backlog as a “nightmare,” significantly delaying wildfire recovery efforts.
“With President Trump’s leadership and alongside EPA, the SBA is opening an expedited path to recovery for every borrower who has been held hostage by the bureaucracy of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass,” Loeffler remarked.
Palisades Fire victim Janna Kohl and Douglas Elliman agent Cory Weiss speak to Fox News Digital about recovery efforts and the aftermath of the Los Angeles-area fires exactly one year later.
Despite the containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires by the end of January 2025, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation reports that these fires caused an estimated up to $53.8 billion in property damage alone.
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The department’s research indicates extraordinarily high destruction rates, with the Palisades Fire destroying 56.3% of all assessed structures and 55.8% of single-family homes. The Eaton Fire similarly devastated about 50% of all structures and single-family homes.
In response to the ongoing crisis, over 160 lending institutions have agreed to offer 90-day forbearance extensions beyond the legally required 12 months. Additionally, the state is promoting the use of rebuilding funds to incentivize “all-electric” homes, which are estimated to cost between $3,000 and $10,000 less than mixed-fuel homes, aligning with California’s climate mandates.
Fox News’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
‘Keeping It Real’ podcast host Jillian Michaels discusses social media addiction as tech giants face trial and calls out California leadership over the wildfires on ‘Varney & Co.’
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is making headlines with a bold move aimed at supporting California homeowners affected by wildfires. In a direct critique of the Trump administration, he has expanded a state mortgage relief program to provide up to $100,000 per household. This initiative comes as he accuses the White House of neglecting the needs of fire survivors in California.
On Thursday, Newsom unveiled a significant enhancement to the mortgage relief program, extending the duration of assistance from three months to a full year. This change allows disaster-affected homeowners to receive up to $100,000 in mortgage payment relief, a substantial increase from the previous cap of $20,000.
According to a state press release, these funds are structured as non-repayable grants, with payments made directly to mortgage providers. So far, approximately $6.5 million has been distributed to 793 recipients, primarily from the Palisades and Eaton fires. Notably, a significant portion of the program’s $1 billion budget remains available for future assistance.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS FACE BRUTAL CHOICE ONE YEAR AFTER LOS ANGELES FIRES DESTROYED THEIR LIVES
As of now, Gov. Newsom’s office has not responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the program’s implementation.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, attends the 62nd Munich Security Conference Feb. 13, 2026. (Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)
This initiative marks a significant shift in Sacramento’s approach, aiming to provide immediate financial relief to homeowners while bypassing a stalled federal disaster package. In a recent press release, Newsom criticized President Trump’s response to the crisis, labeling it a “lie” and a “disgrace.” He emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of its residents.
“We’ve been on the ground, listening and adjusting to meet people’s evolving needs. That’s why we’re expanding this program — to close the gap between relief and long-term recovery and make sure folks get the help they need to move forward,” Newsom stated.
FOX Business’ Stuart Varney analyzes a scathing New York Times op-ed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, examining the exodus of over 1 million residents, the state’s dead-last affordability ranking and the strategic liability he poses to his party.
However, federal officials from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the White House contend that $3.2 billion in federal loans have already been approved but are being hindered by California’s “local permitting backlogs” and “red tape.” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler has described the state’s permitting backlog as a “nightmare,” significantly delaying wildfire recovery efforts.
“With President Trump’s leadership and alongside EPA, the SBA is opening an expedited path to recovery for every borrower who has been held hostage by the bureaucracy of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass,” Loeffler remarked.
Palisades Fire victim Janna Kohl and Douglas Elliman agent Cory Weiss speak to Fox News Digital about recovery efforts and the aftermath of the Los Angeles-area fires exactly one year later.
Despite the containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires by the end of January 2025, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation reports that these fires caused an estimated up to $53.8 billion in property damage alone.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The department’s research indicates extraordinarily high destruction rates, with the Palisades Fire destroying 56.3% of all assessed structures and 55.8% of single-family homes. The Eaton Fire similarly devastated about 50% of all structures and single-family homes.
In response to the ongoing crisis, over 160 lending institutions have agreed to offer 90-day forbearance extensions beyond the legally required 12 months. Additionally, the state is promoting the use of rebuilding funds to incentivize “all-electric” homes, which are estimated to cost between $3,000 and $10,000 less than mixed-fuel homes, aligning with California’s climate mandates.
Fox News’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
