Southern California HUD Staff
Recognized for Volunteer Efforts

Heroes received certificates and medals

As a result of the President's declaration, Secretary Jackson announced that HUD would speed federal disaster assistance. This included onsite assistance by staff from the San Diego, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles offices under the overall guidance from HUD's Disaster Relief Specialist from the Fort Worth, TX office. Volunteers traveled to ground zero fire locations to help solidify the emerging disaster centers. Many of them were assigned throughout the following days and weeks to one of nine designated Local Assistance Centers. They helped to address displaced individuals and families longer-term housing needs.

Last October's Southern California wildfires resulted in the deaths of 24 people, 740,000 acres burned, and more than 3,500 structures damaged or destroyed. It was undoubtedly one of the worst disasters the state has had to deal with. Very often these worst of times are the catalyst to allow the very best traits in human beings to surface to try to alleviate the suffering caused by an unforeseen tragedy.

Los Angeles HUD staff happily display awards.

As a result of their collective activities, Certificates of Appreciation -- signed and dated by Secretary Jackson and Deputy Secretary Bernardi -- were personally given to each volunteer by Assistant Deputy Secretary Bob Young and Regional Director Richard Rainey. The certificates stated: "in recognition for your outstanding support of HUD's Disaster Assistance Mission 2007." Additionally, a HUD engraved medallion -- attached with a red, white and blue ribbon -- was also given to each by his/her Field Office Director to recognize that individual's voluntary efforts.

Many of the staff was assigned to the assistance centers located in San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. The Joint Field Office was in Pasadena. The staff addressed housing issues by the use of HUD's National Housing Locator. This web-based locator combines vacant sales and rental housing data from federal housing resources and three widely used commercial apartment locators.

Santa Ana HUD Staff proudly display medals.

The State of California and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supported these Centers. Center staff provided program information and referrals to those individuals who registered for assistance under the October 24, 2007 disaster declaration by the President at the request of the Governor. Residents came from the seven counties -- Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ventura. Many people applied for FEMA and state recovery aid including grants for emergency disaster housing and essential repairs, individual and household grants for necessities not covered by insurance, resources from HUD, and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Here are the names of HUD's California Wildfire Workers, our local heroes.