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| Versa Villa by Arya Group |
LOS ANGELES — 6 February 2026 Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new round of funding aimed at helping Los Angeles wildfire survivors rebuild more quickly by expanding access to factory-built and modular housing. The announcement builds on recent executive actions that have dramatically reduced permitting delays, allowing local agencies to approve more than 3,000 rebuilding permits—nearly three times faster than before the fires.
Many survivors who chose modular or prefabricated housing solutions are already living in newly completed homes, a milestone that underscores how streamlined approvals and off-site construction are accelerating recovery while preserving neighborhood character.
To support this effort, survivors can explore factory-built housing options through a state rebuilding tool developed in partnership with LA Rises. The platform connects homeowners with pre-approved designs tailored to the architectural style and scale of fire-impacted communities, helping ensure that rebuilding respects local identity while moving at speed.
“Recovery after wildfires shouldn’t stretch on for years,” Governor Newsom said. “We’re removing barriers and advancing housing solutions that allow families to return home sooner—while building safer, more resilient communities for the future.”
Expanded Funding for Factory-Built Housing
Existing state programs already help wildfire survivors access factory-built homes—structures manufactured in controlled facilities and delivered ready for installation. Today’s announcement launches the third funding round of this initiative, making an additional $10 million available to housing providers and local governments supporting survivors of the LA firestorms.
The Round 3 Notice of Funding Availability is now live, with applications opening soon. Eligible applicants include housing developers, nonprofits, tribes, municipalities, and regional partners working to bring factory-built housing solutions to communities across California, with a focus on wildfire recovery.
“Factory-built housing helps communities move from loss to stability more quickly,” said Erin Curtis, Executive Director of the California Strategic Growth Council. “Shorter construction timelines and reduced costs mean families can return to their neighborhoods sooner—when early recovery support matters most.”
Modular Housing as a Long-Term Solution
Factory-built housing is not just a stopgap. These homes are increasingly recognized as durable, efficient, and forward-looking solutions for long-term recovery. Off-site construction reduces waste, lowers costs, and allows for precision-built homes using fire-resistant materials and climate-adaptive designs.
Many of these homes incorporate features that improve resilience, including hardened exteriors, integrated fire protection systems, and energy-efficient construction—helping protect both individual households and entire neighborhoods.
Real-World Success in Fire-Affected Neighborhoods
Los Angeles communities are already seeing the benefits. Temporary and permanent modular homes are being fast-tracked in fire-damaged areas, with adoption accelerating due to the scale of need.
One example is Versa Villa, recently completed by Arya Group in the Palisades. Built using factory-fabricated precision steel, the home was completed in under six months from permit issuance. Designed for wildfire defense, it features multiple hours of fire-resistant materials, an exterior sprinkler system with on-site water storage, and an autonomous monitoring system that detects and responds to fire conditions in real time.
Stories of Recovery and Return
For many residents, these programs are turning recovery into reality.
Steve Gibson and his wife Charlotte, longtime Altadena residents, are preparing to move back into their home later this month after navigating a streamlined modular permitting process.
Rosalina recently returned to her Eaton fire–damaged lot in a newly installed modular home manufactured and donated by Samara through Steadfast LA’s initiative.
In the Palisades, Sue Labella moved into a custom-designed home built in a Cover factory and permitted through the state’s factory-built housing program—an end-to-end process managed from design through installation.
“Factory-built housing is helping wildfire survivors regain stability faster,” said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. “It’s a critical tool for rebuilding stronger, safer communities.”
Executive Orders Driving Historic Permit Speed
Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency on January 7, 2025, triggering a series of executive orders aimed at removing red tape and accelerating recovery. Over the following year, 28 executive orders were issued based on feedback from survivors, local officials, and first responders.
While the state does not issue residential permits directly, these actions have enabled unprecedented local results. Rebuilding permits are now being approved nearly three times faster than comparable permits issued in the five years before the fires.
As of late January, more than 3,100 permits had been issued from 6,600 applications—far outpacing previous wildfire recoveries. One year after the Camp Fire, only 385 permits had been approved. In Maui, construction on the first rebuilt home did not begin until nearly a year after the fire.
Supporting Communities Beyond Housing
Through LA Rises, launched in 2025, the Governor has unified foundations, grassroots organizations, and government agencies to coordinate recovery efforts. The initiative connects survivors with trusted resources, including funding for pre-approved home designs that reflect the architectural character of affected neighborhoods and drastically shorten approval timelines.
A new online rebuilding hub launched in December provides step-by-step guidance for homeowners, linking them to community organizations, builders, financing tools, and prefabricated housing options—many already pre-approved for faster permitting. Designed with survivor input, the site simplifies what can otherwise be an overwhelming process.
Protecting Survivors and Speeding Recovery
- Fast-tracked permitting, including suspensions of CEQA and Coastal Act requirements for rebuilding
- Tax and mortgage relief, including postponed filing deadlines and penalty suspensions
- Temporary suspension of new building codes to avoid permitting delays
- Expanded protections against price gouging and land speculation
- Emergency measures to return displaced students to classrooms
Calling for Federal Action
While advancing state-led recovery, Governor Newsom has criticized the federal government for failing to approve long-term disaster funding for LA fire survivors. This marks the fourth funding request since February, despite earlier assurances from President Trump.
The Governor recently renewed his call in Washington, D.C., urging Congress and the White House to deliver disaster assistance comparable to that provided to other regions—support that would help rebuild schools, restore infrastructure, keep small businesses operating, and strengthen community resilience.
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/02/06/governor-newsom-announces-funding-for-la-fire-survivors-to-access-pre-built-housing-to-further-speed-recovery-and-maintain-neighborhood-character/