HUD Extends Foreclosure Relief to Californians Impacted by Los Angeles County Wildfires
Industry Update
March 6, 2025
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing a 90-day extension of its foreclosure moratorium on Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured single family mortgages in the areas of Los Angeles County, California, devastated by the January 2025 wildfires.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner is making this announcement while touring a disaster zone in Altadena with Fifth District of Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The FHA-insured single family mortgage extension underscores HUD’s commitment to supporting Americans impacted by natural disasters by providing flexibility to families in the Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Area (PDMDA).
There are over 100,000 FHA-insured mortgages in Los Angeles County PDMDA. HUD is working with mortgage servicers and others to assess the extent of properties with FHA-insured mortgages in the designated area that have been severely damaged or destroyed.
“It is heartbreaking to witness the devastation caused by the horrific wildfires in Altadena and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles County and the heavy toll of this tragedy on individuals, families and communities,” said Secretary Scott Turner. “Empowering and supporting our neighbors so they can build or rebuild their future, including when disaster strikes, is a core part of HUD’s mission and we will continue providing help during hardship.”
“HUD’s extension of the foreclosure moratorium is a lifeline for wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County who are facing immense hardship,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I appreciate Secretary Turner’s leadership and commitment to ensuring that families impacted by these devastating fires have the time and support they need to recover. This critical relief will help stabilize our communities as we work together to rebuild and heal.”
The moratorium prohibits mortgage servicers from initiating or completing foreclosure actions on FHA-insured single family forward or Home Equity Conversion mortgages in the Los Angeles County PDMDA through July 7, 2025. The moratorium was originally set to expire on April 8, 2025.
Borrowers unable to make their mortgage payments should contact their mortgage servicer for assistance as soon as practical. Borrowers may also contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALL-FHA (1-800-877-8339; or for TTY 1-800-877-8339) for assistance.
For borrowers and renters who need immediate housing and disaster recovery assistance, HUD-certified housing counselors are prepared to provide guidance on the options that are available. To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, borrowers can use HUD’s online search tool or use our phone search by calling (800) 569-4287 or (202) 708-1455 (TTY).
For borrowers whose homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that requires reconstruction or complete replacement, contact an FHA-approved lender about FHA’s Section 203(h) loan program. This program provides 100 percent financing for eligible homeowners to rebuild their home or purchase a new one.
For borrowers seeking to purchase and/or repair a home that has been damaged, contact an FHA-approved lender about FHA’s Section 203(k) loan program. This program allows individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, as well as the costs of repair or renovation, through a single mortgage.
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