California Assembly Passes Bill Extending Mortgage Relief for Wildfire Survivors

California State Capitol in Sacramento (Photo – Coolcaesar)

The California State Assembly has passed AB 1847, a bill aimed at extending mortgage forbearance protections for homeowners affected by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, advancing the legislation to the State Senate with bipartisan support.

By News Desk

Authored by John Harabedian, the measure would provide an additional two years of mortgage forbearance relief for families still struggling to recover more than a year after the devastating wildfires. The legislation is officially sponsored by Karen Bass and Kathryn Barger.

Thousands of residents displaced by the Eaton and Palisades fires continue to face major obstacles in rebuilding, including insurance disputes, escalating construction costs, labor shortages, and financial instability. Many homeowners remain burdened by mortgage payments on properties that are damaged or uninhabitable.

“Today’s vote sends a clear message that California stands with wildfire survivors,” Harabedian said following the Assembly vote. “Families impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires are still fighting every day to recover, and they should not lose their homes because rebuilding has taken longer than anyone expected.”

Harabedian also thanked Bass and Barger for their support in advancing the bill.

Bass said many wildfire survivors are still dealing with mortgage obligations and insurance denials that have delayed rebuilding efforts.

“We need the big banks and the insurance companies to step up and do what’s right so wildfire survivors can rebuild,” Bass said. “Supervisor Barger and I have been fighting for this here at home, in Sacramento, and in Washington.”

Barger praised the legislation as a necessary form of relief for struggling families.

“Extending mortgage forbearance is the right thing to do,” Barger said. “Our families are fighting every single day to hold on to what little stability they have left, and they deserve every measure of relief available to them.”

AB 1847 will now move to the California State Senate for consideration.