Secretary Martinez on Tuesday announced he would speed federal disaster assistance to four California counties ravaged by wildfires and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters. The Department's actions were taken in response to the President's decision on Monday to declare Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties as federal disaster areas. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from wildfires fueled by dry conditions and shifting Santa Ana winds.

To aid the victims, the Department will:

• Grant a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration-insured homes



• Work with FEMA to identify vacant public housing and HUD-owned properties that can be used as temporary housing for those forced from their homes



• Offer state and local governments federally guaranteed loans for housing rehabilitation, economic development and repair of public infrastructure



• Make available mortgage insurance, through the Section 203(h) program, to disaster victims who have lost their homes and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home



• Make available insurance for both mortgages and rehabilitation, through the Department's Section 203(k) loan program, to finance both the purchase or refinancing of a house along with its repair or rebuilding through a single mortgage



• Work with local governments to streamline the reallocating federal resources to disaster relief through the Department's Community Development Block Grant program, which gives local governments the flexibility to redirect millions of dollars to address critical needs, including housing and services for fire victims.

For more information about these and other disaster assistance programs, click on the disaster relief website.