The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) has welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive orders aimed at expediting recovery efforts in wildfire-affected areas of Southern California.
These measures focus on streamlining housing construction processes and providing critical relief for displaced residents.
“C.A.R. applauds these efforts but also strongly urges the governor and legislature to expand the applicability of the streamlining measures to other housing construction in Los Angeles and surrounding counties,” said C.A.R. President Heather Ozur.
Key actions include suspending California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews and certain California Coastal Act permitting processes for replacement dwellings, expediting debris removal, and extending protections against price gouging through January 7, 2026.
C.A.R. has called for these measures to extend beyond wildfire recovery efforts, citing the ongoing housing shortage in Los Angeles and nearby counties.
“The Los Angeles area already has very limited housing availability, and the fires have displaced many people who will need housing. It will be essential to get new housing built, which streamlining measures will allow,” Ozur stated.
The organization remains committed to working with state leaders to implement policies that address California’s broader housing challenges.
The governor’s proposed state budget includes provisions to assist wildfire-affected residents, such as the Wildfire Settlements Income Exclusion.
This measure would exempt wildfire settlements from state taxes for tax years 2025 through 2029.
Additionally, funds have been redirected to home hardening initiatives, aiming to help property owners make their homes more fire-resistant in the future.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to support rebuilding and reduce future wildfire risks.
C.A.R. has voiced support for Assembly Bill 226, which seeks to strengthen the FAIR Plan, a state-mandated insurance program for residents unable to obtain private coverage.
The organization also backs the California Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which focuses on stabilizing insurance availability in high-risk areas.
“C.A.R. urges state leaders to continue prioritizing forward-thinking policies through legislation, the state budget, and regulations to assist those in affected areas and address the housing and insurance crises that have now been exacerbated in the wake of these wildfires,” Ozur said.
The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) has endorsed Governor Gavin Newsom’s measures to accelerate housing recovery in wildfire-affected areas of Southern California.
These actions include suspending permitting requirements, extending price gouging protections, and expediting debris removal.
C.A.R. has urged state leaders to extend these efforts to address housing shortages in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.
Proposed budget measures, such as wildfire tax relief and home hardening investments, alongside insurance reforms like Assembly Bill 226, aim to support recovery and resilience.
C.A.R. continues to collaborate with state officials to implement policies that address both immediate recovery needs and long-term housing and insurance challenges.
