California allocates $369M in wildfire aid to low-income housing

California officials allocated approximately $369 million in federal aid, originally intended to assist victims of the state’s deadliest wildfires, toward low-income housing developers. An investigation by The California Post reveals that these funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), were used to build dense housing projects without requiring guarantees that wildfire survivors would benefit from the new developments.

The funding stems from allocations made following the devastating 2018 Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. While the money was intended to help rebuild homes, provide affordable rental housing, and repair infrastructure, much of it has been directed to developers for low-income projects. Many victims of the 2018 fires continue to struggle with rebuilding, with some still living in temporary accommodations or unable to afford the costs of reconstruction.