In the wake of the wildfires that have ravaged both Northern and Southern California, the rental housing industry has stepped up in multiple ways to help fire victims recover.

In the paragraphs below, we’ve assembled a list of resources currently available for fire victims, including displaced tenants seeking a place to live. We’ve also highlighted some of the ways the rental housing industry and industry partners have already helped in the recovery effort. 

Rental housing providers

Southern California

Alliance Residential Co. is assisting those affected by the California wildfires by providing access to short-term leases and discounted furniture rental rates. Through this assistance, Alliance hopes to provide options for comfortable temporary housing and furnishings to those experiencing displacement. Associates nationwide also are donating to local nonprofits, like the California Fire Foundation and California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief funds, to aid firefighters and victims who may have suffered injuries or other losses. For additional information regarding available housing locations and contact information, please visit this page.

Northern California

Sacramento area

The Trees at Madison Apartments, 5101 Hackberry Lane, is offering a special program for victims of the Camp Fire, including the following:

  • No application fee.
  • Month-to-month tenancy at no extra charge.
  • Streamlined application and approval process (goal: 24-48 hours).
  • Flexible qualification standards (e.g. co-signers, savings in lieu of income).
  • $100 off the property’s market rental rate.
  • Waive “PooPrints” initiation fee that all other incoming residents with pets are required to pay.

To qualify, applicant must show that their Butte County home was directly affected by the fires (e.g. present utility bill, property tax bill, FEMA paperwork).

For more information, visit www.thetreesatmadison.com or contact the property manager at 916-344-2225 or charlie@pearlinvestment.com.

The Landing at Carmichael, a 55+ independent senior living community at 7125 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, is offering the following to the Paradise evacuees:

  • $200 discount on first three months of rent.
  • Studios and one-bedroom units that include meals, utilities, housekeeping, activities and transportation.

“We currently have five evacuees, and our tenants have happily welcomed them,” said Jennifer Valcazar, sales director.

For more information, visit www.thelandingsl.com.Contact: 916 481-7105 or salesdirector@thelandingsl.com.

San Francisco

Naples Apartments will have a two-bedroom, pet-friendly apartment available in the Excelsior section of San Francisco. While the owner said she is willing to do a short-term lease without a deposit, she will require a written understanding that if the tenant stays beyond the term of the lease, a deposit will be required. Current rent is $2,600 and would stay at that rate for the short-term rental. Email contact@404naples.com. 

Corning

Positive Investments, Inc., which manages Spring Mountain Apartments in Corning, about 50 minutes away from Paradise, is waiving security deposits for anyone displaced by the wildfires and looking for a new home. For more information, contact the on-site manager, Melinda Atilano, at melinda.atilanospringmountain@gmail.com or (530) 824-0244.

Other resources for available units

Camp Fire Housing is a website that lists units available in Northern California for fire victims. For more information, click here.  

Government resources

FEMA Individuals and Households Program can provide financial help and direct services after a disaster. The program provides money, for those who qualify, for necessary housing-related expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. For more details, click here.

Nonprofit assistance

The American Red Cross provides emergency food, shelter, and disaster health and mental health services to individuals and families that have been affected by a disaster. Call (800) RED-CROSS (733-2767) or click here.

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services including help with food, household needs, clothing and personal needs. For more information, call 1-800-SALARMY (725-2769) or click here. 

More help highlights

Here is a sampling of ways the rental housing industry and its partners have already helped fire victims:

Photo courtesy of A PLUS Tree, which donated items to fire victims in Northern California. 

A PLUS Tree Director of Fleet and Asset Operations Jason Leggett spearheaded a campaign for employees and families to donate much-needed items to the fire victims of California. A PLUS Tree and its families delivered two truckloads of clothing, food, hygiene and youth items to an organization and distribution center in Northern California. “APLUS Tree’s carePLUS is dedicated to helping and supporting the immediate needs of our communities,” said Kenji Sweeney, vice president, marketing, for A PLUS. “Our hearts remain with all the communities affected by the fires in California.”

Photo courtesy of BAHN, which delivered donations to wildfire victims in Paradise.

Several members of the Bay Area Homeowners Network, or BAHN, made the 400-mile roundtrip to Paradise, with cars full of donated goods valued at about $2,600, said Caryl Mahar, director of marketing for the Rental Housing Association, Southern Alameda, which is a chapter of CAA.

She said BAHN also collected over $6,000 that was donated directly to the North Valley Community Foundation. Moreover, BAHN members visited the FEMA relief center and made drop-offs to the Salvation Army.

“These generous BAHN members are shining examples of landlords and property owners who contribute to their communities and beyond,” Mahar said. “BAHN and RHA are kindred organizations who work together on both social and rental housing issues. Our membership bases cross over organizational lines, making the two entities true partners.”

Blue Ribbon Supply Co. in South San Francisco has been helping wildfire victims in several ways and is ready to provide further assistance. The hotel/laundry/janitorial supply company has provided free laundry detergent to a coin laundry owner who was doing free laundry for firefighters, first-responders and fire victims. The company also has supplied personal care items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste packets, soap and shampoo to displaced victims. Moreover, Blue Ribbon arranged for PathWater, a company that makes drinking water in reusable aluminum bottles, to get N95 masks at a greatly reduced cost. PathWater then distributed the masks for free, along with bottles of PathWater. If you think Blue Ribbon Supply can help in other fire recovery efforts, contact Carolyn Dilena at 1.800.443.6066 or carolyn@blueribbonsupply.com.