Ray Church looks at the remains of the building that housed Palisades Plumbing.
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation promises “pennies” for grants for businesses, while L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath has authored a motion directing the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) to launch an Emergency Rent Relief Program (ERRP) to keep Angelenos housed in the wake of the January 2025 wildfires and communities affected by federal actions targeting immigrant communities.
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath
Horvath’s motion would expand the already $10 million allocated for rent relief —with an additional $9.788M from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund proposed in the FY25–26 Supplemental Budget to expand relief, primarily for emergency-hardship tenants.
And relief for businesses?
L.A. County announced grants for businesses and nonprofits. “We are writing to you today to announce the launch of the Fires Recovery Grant as part of LAEDC’s new Economic Impact Fund. This initiative is meant to provide direct relief to small businesses directly impacted by the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires and capacity building support to nonprofits working to support the ecosystem during this time.
Who’s Eligible? Small businesses in the Palisades/Altadena area that were negatively impacted by the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires; nonprofit organizations that have provided and are continuing to provide support to impacted businesses.
Available Grants:
o Eighty $5,000 direct grants for small businesses
o Four $25,000 sub-grants for community-based organizations
Application Deadline: September 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT
As John Wilson, whose commercial building burned, wrote: “They have to be kidding. $5,000? My tenants lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in business, equipment, wages, and much more.
“Economic Development?” Wilson said. “This must be a joke.”
There have also been no grants for building owners, whose insurance will not cover the cost of construction.
CTN also wondered how nonprofits worked “to support the ecosystem during this time.” Does that mean that the $25,000 given to a nonprofit would allow them to pay their executive director? Sponsor mental health help or maybe host art therapy classes for business owners? No one from the County responded to clarify the nonprofit ecosystem.
Could stores in burnt-out buildings qualify as emergency-hardship tenants? A mere $5,000 won’t help a business, but with Horvath’s rental assistance, perhaps store owners could find new locations.
$5,000 will definitely help a small business. It would definitely help Bluecat Music Voice Studio, whose students are usually the leads in local theater productions. There’s equipment that needs to be replaced and if anything, it could provide free lessons for kids who can no longer afford them. Why don’t you ask Amazing Music if they could use an extra $5,000 or Vanessa at Vittorios down in the canyon if she would turn it away?
Michael,
John Wilson is the landlord for Vittorios–his point is these businesses have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and all the county is giving them is $5,000–and nonprofits are receiving $25,000? Do me a favor, on Fire Aid there are at least three nonprofits that said they were helping music businesses and artists. Contact them and tellthem you need help. Let me know if they provide any fire aid funds to you.
And you could also apply for this County grant and see if you get it.
Sue
I am still waiting for my grant to be approved by the county (somewhere between 6-10K) I call once every 2 or three weeks and get the runaround. How are recipients chosen? How much have you given? How much is left? Where am I in the pecking order? Will we be informed when the money is gone?
Donna,
I wish I could tell you more–but that was all the information that was sent to CTN. If I find out more, I’ll print it.
Sue