In Somis, California, the remnants of Hatim Naim’s destroyed home stand as a poignant reminder of the devastation left by the Mountain Fire that swept through Ventura County last November. While the Los Angeles Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this year received federal recognition as major disasters, securing assistance under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs, Naim and his community find themselves ineligible for such support, creating a stark disparity in recovery efforts.
Despite being only a few miles from the areas devastated by the Los Angeles fires, residents of Ventura County have yet to benefit from either federal disaster relief or the influx of philanthropic aid that poured into LA by the hundreds of millions. “They have their cutoffs for where they declare their disaster, but it’s still a disaster for me,” Naim expressed, emphasizing the hardship of losing everything without the same level of assistance.
For survivors of the Mountain Fire, federal aid is inaccessible, leaving them without resources for disaster case management, legal services, and mental health support. They also lack the ability to access quick cash relief, temporary housing, and funds needed to repair or rebuild homes. What’s more, they miss out on federal tax extensions and fee waivers for vital document replacement.
Keith McNett, whose home in Camarillo was also lost to the fire, voiced a sentiment shared by many in the region, “We kind of feel like we’re the forgotten fire a little bit.” In the agricultural county of over 835,000 residents, officials and nonprofit leaders are grappling with the realization that local resources may not suffice for long-term recovery.
Anne Whatley, facilitator for the Ventura County Long Term Disaster Recovery Group, highlighted that “low-attention disasters” pose significant challenges in sourcing local support. As discussions around potentially overhauling or reducing FEMA’s role surface nationally, this concern may become more prevalent in other communities.
Efforts towards recovery have seen collaboration from groups like the Ventura County Long Term Disaster Recovery Group, Interface 211 Ventura County, and the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), which managed to provide up to $2,750 per household for immediate needs while struggling to secure substantial funds for long-term efforts. VCCF’s executive director, Vanessa Bechtel, acknowledges the overwhelming disparity in funding, saying, “The dollar amount that’s needed, philanthropy really can’t compete with.”
In the aftermath of previous fires in 2017 and 2018, the VCCF provided as much as $75,000 per family for rebuilding. However, barriers such as donor fatigue and decreasing attention have made replicating such aid a formidable task. Given the strained rental market, exacerbated by the fires in Los Angeles, local aid partners are concentrating efforts on aiding families with deposits and initial rent costs.
Rebuilding homes presents further hurdles due to heightened costs and limited resources. Naim, forced to obtain a $600,000 loan from the Small Business Administration, faces exorbitant insurance premiums that are neither affordable nor sustainable. The state’s FAIR plan, serving as a last-resort insurer, has seen significant growth, highlighting the broader insurance crisis across California reinforced by rising costs of labor and supply following tariffs.
For Rachel McNett, concerns about competing for rebuild resources amidst extensive destruction in LA amplify existing stressors. “My heart goes out to everybody, but it’s just a new worry,” she lamented.
Former FEMA officials, including Peter Gaynor, acknowledge the impossibility of federal aid for every disaster event. “We’d be broke as a nation,” he stated, elaborating on the criteria for declarations based on economic metrics and state capacity to manage without federal intervention.
Chris Smith, a former FEMA leader, noted the potential challenges faced by communities lacking both local resources and qualifying federal criteria. Local responsibility in disaster scenarios remains critical, though state involvement varies widely. County Supervisor Jeff Gorell, representing areas impacted by the Mountain Fire, advocates for state-level assistance comparable to that granted to LA fire victims. He has urged California Governor Gavin Newsom for accommodations such as permitting suspension and full reimbursement for debris removal costs.
Although the state has facilitated access to federal resources for firefighting and debris removal, Gorell continues to advocate for comprehensive support measures. Assemblymember Jessica Caloza introduced a bill to establish a state-level individual assistance program for non-FEMA declared events, spurring support among local leaders.
Throughout the recovery process, community-driven initiatives have played an integral role in support. Over 800 local donations have fueled efforts by the Ventura County Community Foundation. Initiatives like The Local Love Project have created opportunities for acquiring essential items, while preceding fire survivors lend rebuilding insights.
The VCCF and partners seek to engage the faith community in adopting families requiring assistance, taking on an untapped resource. “We start to have to be really creative in how we help people,” said Bechtel.