Do You Know About California’s Vehicle Safety and Disaster Mortgage Assistance Programs? Get Details

November 26, 2025

The California Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications conducted an online forum on November 20 to inform ethnic media outlets about two state programs designed to help residents. The CalAssist Mortgage Fund offers up to $20,000 in non-repayable grants to homeowners affected by disasters between January 2023 and January 2025, with recently expanded income eligibility that allows more families to qualify. The Check to Protect campaign addresses California's more than 6 million vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls by encouraging residents to verify their vehicle status online and obtain free repairs.

Who is affected

California homeowners who lost or sustained severe damage to their primary residences in disasters between January 2023 and January 8, 2025
Families affected by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires (including the Lee family in Altadena), San Diego floods, Park Fire, and disasters in Butte, Tehama, and Plumas Counties
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Black communities
Communities of color, rural communities, and low-income communities facing vehicle safety recall issues
California residents with vehicles among the 6 million with unrepaired safety recalls
Residents with vehicles under "Do Not Drive" recalls (over 110,000 vehicles)

What action is being taken

The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications is hosting forums with ethnic media outlets to disseminate information about the programs
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is administering the CalAssist Mortgage Fund and providing mortgage payment grants
The California New Motor Vehicle Board is supporting the Check to Protect campaign
Authorized dealers are providing free repairs for vehicles with open recalls
Homeowners are applying for and receiving mortgage assistance (such as the Lee family receiving 3 months of mortgage support)

Why it matters

These programs address critical needs in communities that have been historically underrepresented and disproportionately affected by disasters and safety issues. The CalAssist Mortgage Fund relieves the compounding burden of mortgage payments on families already devastated by losing their homes, helping them redirect resources toward rebuilding and living expenses. The Check to Protect campaign addresses a significant public safety crisis, as California leads the nation in unrepaired vehicle recalls, with over 110,000 vehicles posing severe risks of crash, fire, or injury. By specifically targeting ethnic media and underserved communities, these initiatives aim to bridge information gaps and ensure that vulnerable populations receive culturally relevant support and can access potentially life-saving services that are available to them at no cost.

What's next

Homeowners affected by qualifying disasters should apply for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund if they meet income and property eligibility requirements
California residents should visit CheckToProtect.org and enter their license plate or VIN number to check for open recalls
Vehicle owners with open recalls should contact authorized dealerships to schedule free repairs and inquire about complimentary services such as transportation, loaner vehicles, or mobile repairs

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint