Santa Cruz County Fire Resources
Aug 27, 2020
URGENT:
LANDLORDS NEEDED TO HELP CZU FIRE SURVIVORS.
The County of Santa Cruz invites property owners and managers to assist in meeting the medium- and long-term housing needs of CZU Lightning Complex fire survivors. If you are interested in helping survivors, please fill out a brief survey here.
- If you are a landlord with vacancies who is willing to accept fire survivors with or without access to FEMA and other survivor assistance programs, the County is asking for your support in meeting the critical housing needs of the community. Flexibility on pets, credit scores and other usual screening criteria is especially helpful.
- More than 100 households are still in need of permanent housing following the CZU Lightning Complex fires. Many have received FEMA Rental Assistance, which can pay up to 150 percent of fair market rents and can be provided for a period of up to 18 months after the fire. Some households are move-in ready, and include singles, couples, and families with children.
- Many are long-term residents of Santa Cruz County who wish to remain in the area, and units close to their original neighborhoods would be welcomed. However, FEMA assistance can be used up to 50 miles from Santa Cruz County.
- The County offers landlords interested in renting to these families verification that the tenant was displaced by the CZU Lightning Complex and information about FEMA rental assistance and/or other rental assistance programs. Households will also have access to continuing case management and other support services.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY UPDATES & RESOURCES
Santa Cruz County Recovery Resource Center
Prepare for winter storms:
- Santa Cruz County Flood Warning System
- Debris Flow Hazard Risk Map: Know your zone.
- Sign up for Code Red, Reverse 9-1-1: alerts of emergency evacuations including wildfires and flooding.
- Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is offering post-fire free webinars, on-site assistance, and requests for run off control materials.
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS
For assistance with food, basic essential items, and emergency financial/rental/rehousing support contact a local family resource center.
- Community Bridges:
- Mountain Community Resources 831-335-6600
- Live Oak Community Resources 831-476-7284
- Nueva Vista Community Resources 831-423-5747
- La Manzana Community Resources 831-724-2997
- Community Action Board (Davenport Resource Service Center) Call 831-763-2147
- Valley Churches United Call 831-336-8258
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey is offering services to families impacted by the fires in need of financial aid to purchase basic needs items. Call 831-920-4764
FOOD
- Call the Second Harvest Community Food Hotline 831-662-0991
- December Bilingual Family Resource Calendar Food pantry, meal sites, crisis support, and healthcare resources.
- January Bilingual Family Resource Calendar food pantry, meal sites, crisis support and healthcare resources.
EVENTS
- United Policy Holders Free Roadmap to Recovery Workshops. Register for all workshops here.
- January 14, 2021, 5:30 PM PT
Q&A for wildfire survivors - January 16, 2021, 10:00 AM PT
Scoop on “Scope” Part 1 - How to understand and correct your insurance company "dwelling" estimate - January 19, 2021, 7:00 PM PT
Survivor to Survivor Forum-
Trained UP volunteers with personal experience recovering from previous wildfires will share practical tips for loss recovery - January 21, 2021, 4:00 PM PT
Remedies for underinsurance for CA wildfire survivors
- January 14, 2021, 5:30 PM PT
INSURANCE HELP
- United Policyholders (UP) is a nonprofit organization that has been helping and advocating for insurance consumers since 1991. Through a Roadmap to Recovery program, UP provides FREE guidance on collecting available insurance benefits, making decisions and getting back home after a catastrophic loss.
- Their Road to Recovery Webpage and Event Series is helping homeowners and renters navigate insurance and claims with free events, sample letters, and strategies.
- Check out their past events: Insurance Recovery Orientation Webinar, How to Read and Understand Your Insurance Policy, Partial Loss and Smoke Damage, Navigating the Dwelling Portion of Your Claim, Insurance Claim Help for Renters
- Contact UP for further support: info@uphelp.org or sign up here to get the latest events and updates.
- The California Department of Insurance provides assistance on insurance issues.
- Wildfire Resources and Insurance Tips
- If you are experiencing difficulty with processing your claim or have an underinsurance issue. Contact 1-800-927-4357 English Contact Spanish Contact
Rental and Rehousing Assistance
If you are receiving temporary housing assistance through FEMA's Individual and Households Program, you may qualify for continued rental assistance. Let FEMA know if you have continued need.
Contact Community Bridges, Community Action Board, or Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey to see if you qualify for rental assistance.
Debris Removal, Remediation and Post-Recovery Assistance
- Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Resources provides information on debris removal and clean up.
- Santa Cruz County Debris Flows/Mudflows
- Post Fire Recovery: The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is offering free post-fire recovery assistance including on-site technical and planning help. Please see their website here that includes free webinars on how to protect your land after a wildfire.
- Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz County are experienced in leading suppression repair, erosion control, road repairs and mitigating damage to reduce ongoing impacts. Contact trails@mbosc.org if your land has been damaged by the recent wildfires and you need help in remediation.
Erosion Control Suppliers from the Resource Conservation District
REBUILDING & PERMITS
Rebuilding information and next steps are here. Or email FireRebuild@santacruzcounty.us
Recovery Permit Center is now open. To schedule an appointment call 831-454-5323 or email RPC@santacruzcounty.us or sign up here.
MATERIALS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE
Mobile Laundry Community Bridges mobile laundry trailer offers free access to washers and dryers to households impacted by the recent fires. The trailer will be located at various locations in the Santa Cruz mountains each week. Click here to find out locations and sign-up.
Water Tanks: If you are in need of a 300 gallon water tank, please fill out this form through the Boulder Creek Parks and Rec to get on the waitlist.
Santa Cruz County Material Donation Pick Up Sites:
- St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church
9980 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond
Wednesday 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Valley Churches United
9400 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m.-4 p.m.
AT&T Residential and Small Business Customers qualify for disaster assistance.
MUTUAL AID
- Santa Cruz Relief Get help, offer help, find additional resources.
- Santa Cruz Fire Assistance & Resources: Facebook group for mutual aid. Post what you need and what you can offer.
- Santa Cruz County Mental Health Support with listings of local therapists offering free support to those impacted by the fires.
LOANS & GRANTS
- Neighbor to Neighbor Fire Relief Grants provide small local businesses up to $5K in grant funding for businesses affected by the CZU fires. Apply here.
- Free business advising assistance services are provided through Santa Cruz SBDC by signing up here.
- Disaster Loan Assistance: SBA low-interest loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners and renters to replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Three Step Process in English/ Three Step Process in Spanish. You must apply for FEMA here in English/ here in Spanish. Then apply for Disaster Loan Assistance Here.
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
- People who are out of work due to the fires may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file for benefits here in English/ here in Spanish. Or Call Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: English: 1-800-300-5616 / Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
- If you are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance you may apply for FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance. See the Fact Sheet here or call 1-866-487-2365.
HEALTHCARE
- Those impacted by the wildfires could be eligible to sign up for Covered California between September 1 to December 31 2020. You may be eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. Apply here or call 1-800-300-1506
- The California Department of Managed Health Care can help speed up approvals for care, lost prescriptions, or arrange healthcare at other facilities due to disasters. Call 1-888-466-2219
CRISIS COUNSELING
- CalHope provides crisis counseling and resources. Call 833-317-4673
- Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 trained crisis counseling to support people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5590 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- FEMA may provide funding for supportive crisis counseling. Learn more and how to apply here.
CALIFORNIA DISASTER ASSISTANCE SERVICES
- California Disaster Help Center
- Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians
- Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians in English here / Spanish here
LEGAL AID
- Disaster Legal Services may provide free legal help to low-income disaster survivors. DLS can help with insurance claims, legal papers lost in the disaster, home repair contracts and contractors, problems with landlords, proof of homeownership and FEMA appeals. Learn more here or call 1-800-624-33-62 TTY 1-800-462-7585
- Free Legal Assistance for Fire Survivors in California from the DLAC.
