Resources to Help LA Communities & Families Rebuild After Wildfires

[Kristi Kandel]

Helping LA Communities Rebuild After Wildfires

When Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers Beach in 2022, it changed our lives forever. The road to recovery is long, messy, and full of setbacks—but it also taught us something important: with the right support and determination, rebuilding isn’t just possible—it can create stronger, more resilient communities.

Now, as wildfires tear through LA, I want to share the lessons we learned to help others rebuild with hope and purpose.

Here’s what made a difference for us:
🔹 Mortgage Relief – Many lenders offer disaster relief options like payment pauses or loan modifications. But you have to ask proactively, and be mindful of how long you stay in forbearance to avoid long-term credit issues.
🔹 Insurance Challenges – Even when insurance pays, it rarely covers the actual cost to completely rebuild. The process will be slow, but with patience and smart planning, you can move forward step by step.
🔹 Property Tax Relief – If your property is severely damaged, you may qualify for reassessment and potential tax refunds. It’s worth reaching out to your local tax office to explore options. These small wins add up when you’re trying to rebuild.
🔹 Partnering with Trusted Local Experts – Engaging experienced and reliable builders, architects, contractors, and surveyors is essential for a safe, efficient, and successful rebuilding process.

Recovery isn’t just about getting back to where you were—it’s about creating something better. Visit RestoreFMB.com for practical resources and tools that can be replicated in other communities to help LA through this process.

No one rebuilds alone. Shout out to permit professionals like Roy Hasson (just a friend in LA specializing in navigating permit process - this is not a business play we do not work together), who are dedicated to helping others and will likely develop similar resources to support their communities through the rebuilding process.

If you’re working on rebuilding efforts or have questions, feel free to connect with me—I’d love to collaborate. Together, we can help communities not just recover, but thrive. 💪