FEMA EXTENDS ROE DEADLINE TO APRIL 15 & CONFIRMS DEBRIS REMOVAL FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED CONDOS, MULTI-FAMILY

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, following advocacy from LA County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, FEMA has announced that owner occupied condos and multi-family units are now eligible for Phase 2 debris removal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, FEMA has extended the deadline for Right of Entry (ROE) forms for debris removal to Saturday, April 15, 2025. These actions will expedite Los Angeles County’s recovery from January’s devastating wildfires. ROE applications are available here. 

“Thank you to FEMA, CalOES, and all our partners for working with us and honoring our request to include condos and townhomes in the federally funded debris removal program,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Thanks also for hearing the pleas of our residents who have been traumatized by the impacts of these fires to give them more time to process information needed for ROE submission. Extending the deadline to April 15 means more residents will get the help they need to clear debris on their properties and begin the rebuilding process. We pushed for these changes because our communities needed them—and we’ll keep fighting to make sure no one is left behind in recovery. While there’s more time, don’t delay! Submit your Right of Entry form now.”

Supervisor Horvath continues to advocate for inclusion of other categories of properties in the Private Property Debris Removal program, including nonprofits and houses of worship, all multifamily residential, mobile home parks, and commercial properties. FEMA will consider these properties on a case-by-case basis. Owners of these properties are encouraged to submit their ROEs by the April 15 deadline.

Today, FEMA issued the following guidance:

Federal Debris Removal Program Eligibility

Single-Family Properties

  • Private, residential single-family properties are eligible.
  • Homeowners must opt-in to debris removal by submitting an ROE form by the April 15 deadline.

Multi-Family Properties

Owner Occupied

  • Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building. This allows the county, state, and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility for PPDR.
  • Residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home are eligible for federally funded debris removal.
  • This includes most condominium and some multi-family buildings, even if there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.

Renter Occupied

  • Rental units are generally not eligible. The owner of the apartment business is expected to use their insurance and hire a licensed contractor to conduct debris removal. See guidance for commercial properties below.
  • Apartment tenants may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program to help them rent another place to live and/or replace personal property that was destroyed in the fire.
  • Applications for the FEMA Individual Assistance program must be submitted by March 31. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

Commercial Properties

  • Generally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal.
  • FEMA has limited abilities to fund this cleanup. Commercial property owners should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as possible.
  • If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate them to Los Angeles County.
  • Businesses may also qualify for SBA low interest loans to assist in their recovery and supplement insurance. To apply for an SBA loan, property owners should visit sba.gov/disaster, call 1-800-659-2955, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center. The deadline for submitting an SBA disaster loan application is March 31.

Public Buildings and Eligible Private Non-Profits

  • Public applicants and eligible Private Non-Profits (PNPs) that perform an essential service as defined under 44 CFR 206.223 may be eligible for debris removal.

For more information on FEMA guidance Individual Assistance, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856. For information on Los Angeles County’s recovery, visit www.recovery.lacounty.gov.