Rep. Chu and CA Congressmembers touring Altadena and Northern Pasadena (File Photo – Office of Judy Chu)
Six months after the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires, most notably the Eaton Fire, ravaged the region, claiming 18 lives, displacing 20,000 residents, and destroying more than 9,500 structures, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) has reaffirmed her commitment to securing long-term recovery aid and housing solutions for those affected.
By News Desk
“Six months ago, our community was forever changed by the Los Angeles wildfires,” said Rep. Chu in a statement released July 7, 2025. “We remember the lives lost, the homes destroyed, and the bravery of those who stood in the face of unimaginable devastation.”
The fires, which scorched over 14,000 acres across Los Angeles County, left a lasting mark on communities like Altadena and Pasadena. Churches, small businesses, nonprofit centers, and homes were reduced to ashes, triggering a massive emergency response from federal, state, and local officials.
Rep. Chu has played a leading role in that response from the onset. On January 7, the day the Eaton Fire broke out, she returned from Washington, D.C., to support first responders and coordinate immediate relief. The following day, she joined Governor Gavin Newsom in urging the White House to issue a federal emergency declaration. President Biden approved the request within hours, activating FEMA and unlocking full reimbursement for firefighting costs.
Over the following weeks and months, Rep. Chu hosted town halls, conducted site tours with FEMA officials, and pressed for investigations into delayed evacuation orders in western Altadena. She personally appealed to President T. during his California visit, asking for unconditional federal support for fire survivors.
Through bipartisan collaboration, Rep. Chu has advanced key legislation to ease recovery. In March, she introduced the HIRE CREDIT Act (H.R. 1914), aimed at helping disaster victims re-enter the workforce. In April, the House passed her Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act (H.R. 517), granting the IRS authority to extend tax deadlines for disaster-impacted communities.
She has also introduced legislation focused on housing and mortgage relief, including the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act (H.R. 2928), and convened multiple roundtables to tackle the region’s growing housing crisis.
As of July, FEMA has delivered $141 million in federal assistance to affected LA County residents, including $45 million in housing aid. But Chu says the work is not done.
“We still face urgent challenges like securing affordable, long-term housing for those displaced,” she said. “That’s why I’m working tirelessly in Congress to pass a supplemental assistance package that will fulfill Governor Newsom’s request for $40 billion in additional disaster aid.”
Chu emphasized that natural disasters should not be a partisan issue. “Every American deserves swift and fair federal aid no matter where they live or who they voted for,” she said.
Rep. Chu continues to push FEMA for expanded soil testing and housing assistance, while rallying support in Congress to meet the region’s long-term needs.
“This fight is far from over, and I remain committed to ensuring that every survivor receives the resources they need to recover and rebuild,” Chu said.
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