Thousands of Los Angeles residents are still awaiting more than $15bn in federal funds to rebuild their communities, nearly 600 days after a historic firestorm in January 2025. This delay marks the longest wait for federal disaster aid in modern history, surpassing the 500-day wait experienced by victims of the Maui fires.
The Trump administration has not yet appropriated the long-term recovery funds, which are deemed crucial for rebuilding efforts. The fires in Los Angeles reduced over 16,000 structures to ash and toxic debris, and directly killed 31 people.
State officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, have accused the president of politicising disaster aid. Attorneys general from 25 Democratic-led states have also sued the administration, alleging that it has imposed "unlawful" conditions on states requesting federal grants for disaster response.
A report from the Department of Angels, a non-profit, indicated that roughly two-thirds of survivors were still displaced as of late July, with many facing a typical rebuilding gap of approximately $500,000. The report also noted that financial assistance had decreased in recent months.