Assisting Mountain Fire impacted residents
If your home was damaged or destroyed, please complete this short survey so we can understand your needs and get in touch.
Who we are: A county-wide collaborative of organizations (nonprofit, faith-based, private and public sector) coordinating assistance to households impacted by disasters
Mission:
The mission of the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group of Ventura County (VC LTDRG) is to strengthen area-wide disaster coordination in the affected area by sharing information, simplifying resident access to services, and jointly addressing cases with disaster-caused recovery needs.
Purpose:
The VC LTDRG will provide coordinated management of long-term recovery assistance to residents of Ventura County who have unmet disaster caused needs. The VC LTDRG will seek to provide spiritual, emotional, physical and financial resources to those affected by the disaster regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability or religious preference.
Upcoming events
United Policyholders: a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and a respected voice for consumers of all types of insurance. They don't take money from insurance companies. They provide guidance on buying insurance and navigating claims.
Webinar workshops:
Survivor to Survivor Forum - April 15, 2025 7pm Info/Register
Recording of Underinsured? Strategies & remedies for Wildfire Impacted Households
Recording of recent Navigating your Contents Claim workshop
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We are planning to have a follow up in-person event focused on rebuilding topics/questions in April - details to be confirmed soon. If you have suggestions for a topic please contact us to let us know.
Disaster Recovery Financial Counseling
Get help sifting through your financial situation. Project Porchlight from the non-profit Money Management Int. provides FREE assistance to renters and homeowners.
Call this number specifically for Mountain Fire impacted households: 866-934-2408 to speak with a HUD certified counselor. You can find more information or schedule a phone appointment at https://www.moneymanagement.org/disaster-recovery
Disaster Case Managers (DCM)
What is a Disaster Case Manager? Recovery and rebuilding a life after a disaster can be overwhelming. With so many applications, steps and follow-up, it can be hard to know where to start or who to contact. DCMs are trained to help those who lack the resources necessary to recover or who need assistance with their recovery toward resilience. Meet our DCMs!
Mental Health Support
It is natural to feel completely disoriented after a disaster. Resources are available to help you. Know that you will be okay, you will get through this, and allow for grace. Available wellness resources including information for parents. Take a look at the list of local free and low cost Emotional recovery and mental health wellness resources
Insurance and Rebuilding
Information and resources for those rebuilding including the Ask a Homebuilder short video series.
As well as resources related to insurance claims. United Policyholders has a section specific to 2024 California Wildfires.
Other Resources
Housing
If you are looking for temporary or permanent housing contact the Housing Navigator team at the United Way of Ventura County.
Brandy Schoepflin 805-485-6288 ext 234
Karina Lopez Saldana 805-485-6288 ext 254 (Spanish speaking)
Furniture
Hotel Surplus in Van Nuys is offering hotel liquidation items such as desks, lounge chairs, some sleeper sofas to those displaced by fires. More info at: https://www.hotelsurplus.com/
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SBA Disaster Loans are available for home rebuilding, repairs, property replacement as well as for businesses.
Interest Rates as low as 2.563% for homeowners/renters and as low as 4% for businesses. For:
Business Loans up to $2M for repairs/replacements of real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other assets.
Economic Injury Loans for small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and nonprofits, regardless of property damage.
Homeowner Loans up to $500,000 for real estate repairs.
Personal Property Loans for homeowners and renters may qualify for up to $100,000 to repair/replace personal property, including vehicles.
lnformation on disaster assistance information can be found at sba.gov/disaster. The SBA also hosts a Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. You can still speak to someone in person at the Economic Development Collaborative Office at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA during business hours.
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List of local free Legal Resources for fire impacted residents
Disaster Recover Reflection from Cards for Calamity
Is post-disaster life taking its toll?
Your body's resources are not endless. This is a confronting reality. So how do you refuel your body? The basics are a good place to start. Sleep the best you can, eat good food and exercise. A vital source of energy can also be found in all the activities that bring color to your life. Ask yourself:
What makes me smile?
What makes me feel alive?
What have I let go that I used to enjoy?
Thanks to Good360.org our community received a shipment of Cards for Calamity to support recovery from the Mountain Fire. The cards are created for those experiencing the disaster recovery journey.
If you are interested in a deck of the cards please contact dcm@mountainfirerecovery.org to request one.
You can also contact: 211now.com for Resources for Mountain Fire
County of Ventura Recovery Resources
VenturaCountyRecovers.org: This is the official page for the County of Ventura and the cities and unincorporated areas affected by the fire. Ventura County Recovers is intended to guide residents through the recovery process, regardless of the size of their loss. Information listed here includes articles about recovery programs and information published by various government agencies.