How California is Improving Safety & Relief for AAPI and Black Families

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

●      Mortgage Relief for Homeowners Impacted by Disasters: The State of California is providing direct support to homeowners who have suffered financial hardship due to fires and other natural disasters. Eligible Californians can receive mortgage payment assistance.

●      Enter license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know if you have one of the over 6.2 million vehicles in California that need repairs. This potential lifesaving measure takes less than 60 seconds. Vehicle recall repairs are FREE at authorized dealers, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased. Visit http://CheckToProtect.org or Chttp://heckToProtect.org/es today.

SACRAMENTO, CA (November 20, 2025) – State and community leaders joined AAPI and Black media outlets today for a targeted Ethnic Media Forum hosted by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC). The briefing highlighted two statewide programs that benefit all Californians: the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, which provides disaster-related mortgage relief, and Check to Protect, a vehicle-safety campaign led by the National Safety Council and supported by the California New Motor Vehicle Board.

While these programs serve residents across the state, today’s conversation was designed specifically for AAPI and Black media outlets to ensure communities that have been historically underrepresented—and often disproportionately affected by disasters and safety recalls—receive timely, accurate, and culturally relevant information. The virtual briefing connected ethnic and community journalists directly with state experts and community members to discuss how these efforts are saving lives and supporting long-term recovery.

CalAssist Mortgage Fund, administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), recently expanded its income limits, allowing thousands more California homeowners to qualify for mortgage assistance after losing or sustaining severe damage to their homes in recent disasters. In Los Angeles County, homeowners earning up to $211,050 may now be eligible for up to $20,000 in mortgage payment grants that never have to be repaid.

“The CalAssist Mortgage Fund is more than a relief program – it’s a message from the state that we are here for the survivors of these disasters.” said Rebecca Franklin, Chief Deputy Director of CalHFA. “This Thanksgiving, we’re sending hope to communities across California. It’s a time of gratitude when these families can still have a meaningful celebration despite their circumstances.”

The Check to Protect campaign reminds Californians to check their vehicles for open safety recalls — a quick and free step that could save lives. California currently leads the nation with more than 6 million vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, including over 110,000 “Do Not Drive” recalls, where the risk of crash, fire, or injury is severe. Many affected vehicles are in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, where cars are often older and passed down through multiple owners.

“If your vehicle has an open safety recall, don’t wait – schedule to get it fixed for free at a local dealership right away. Car dealerships are obligated to repair any recall free of charge, whether you purchased your vehicle there or not. We want California drivers to understand the urgency to get your recall fixed as soon as possible and that the service is free.” Timothy Corcoran, Executive Director, New Motor Vehicle Board.

 

The ethnic media forum is part of OCPSC’s ongoing efforts to bridge information gaps between state agencies and California’s ethnic media ecosystem — a critical step to ensuring lifesaving information reaches communities in-language and in-culture.

“Partnerships with AAPI and Black media are vital to California’s mission of equity in communication,” said OCPSC Acting Director Aubrie Fong. “By engaging trusted messengers, we make sure programs like CalAssist and Check to Protect reach the families who need them most — not after the fact, but when it matters.”