Disaster relief on the way for owners of homes destroyed from fires

SALINAS, Calif. (KION)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced aid is on the way for people around California, including Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, who lost their homes in recent wildfires and need to rebuild.

In Monterey County, evacuations were lifted for thousands of people who were able to return to their homes.

Many found their homes in good standing.

However, some of the homes up Pine Canyon Road where the River fire started were left charred and destroyed.

An official with the HUD described the relief aid as a glimmer of hope for those who lost their homes in the fires.

The programs are: a 90 day moratorium on foreclosures along with insurance and funding for those who need to rebuild or buy a new home.

“We’re very concerned, we feel every ounce of empathy and compassion we want to make sure we respond to you as fast as possible and we want to make sure people realize there is support and we’re not ignoring you," said Regional Administrator, Christopher Patterson.

Federal agencies will be assessing damage areas to determine funding for each county.

Patterson says the goal is to gather data as soon as possible to give home owners the help they need with no lag in time.

Anyone who needs this assistance can call 1(800) 304-9320