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MORE RECOVERY INFO

Mountain View News Saturday, March 29, 2025


DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RIGHT OF ENTRY 
FORMS EXTENDED TO APRIL 15

 

Owner occupied condos and multi-family units now eligible for government funded 
debris removal program.

The deadline to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form to be eligible for debris removal 
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been extended to April 15, 2025.

The federally funded debris removal program consists of structural debris removal 
and requires an ROE form, completed by the property owner and submitted either 
online or downloaded and submitted in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE, however FEMA 
is unable to duplicate other forms of funding specific to debris removal. If a property 
has insurance for debris removal, any residual amount not used by the property 
owner must be provided through the county to offset the cost of debris removal.

All property owners should submit an ROE form by April 15, 2025, either opting 
into the program or opting out.

FEMA’s authority is typically limited to the removal of debris from public areas, including 
public schools or administrative facilities. In response to the Los Angeles 
wildfires, FEMA’s authority has been extended beyond public area debris removal to 
include single family residences to help mitigate the immediate public health threat 
and accelerate the economic recovery of impacted communities. Based on a request 
made this week by the State of California, FEMA has also added owner occupied 
multi-family units.

Federal Debris Removal Program Eligibility

Single-Family Properties

 Private, residential single-family properties are eligible.

 Homeowners must opt-in to debris removal by submitting an ROE form by 
the April 15 deadline.

Multi-Family Properties

Owner Occupied

 Each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex must submit 
an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association of the building. This 
allows the county, state, and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility for 
PPDR.

 Residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied 
home are eligible for federally funded debris removal.

o This includes most condominium and some multi-family buildings, even if 
there is a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building.

Renter Occupied

 Rental units are generally not eligible. The owner of the apartment business 
is expected to use their insurance and hire a licensed contractor to conduct debris 
removal. See guidance for commercial properties below.

 Apartment tenants may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program 
to help them rent another place to live and/or replace personal property that was 
destroyed in the fire. 

o Applications for the FEMA Individual Assistance program must be submitted 
by March 31. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the FEMA helpline 
at 1-800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

Commercial Properties

Generally, commercial properties are not eligible for federally funded debris removal.

o FEMA has limited abilities to fund this cleanup. Commercial property owners 
should work with their insurance company and begin debris removal as soon as 
possible.

o If extenuating circumstances exist, businesses owners should communicate 
them to Los Angeles County.

 Businesses may also qualify for SBA low interest loans to assist in their recovery 
and supplement insurance. To apply for an SBA loan, property owners should 
visit sba.gov/disaster, call 1-800-659-2955, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center or 
Business Recovery Center. The deadline for submitting an SBA disaster loan application 
is March 31.

Public Buildings and Eligible Private Non-Profits

 Public applicants and eligible Private Non-Profits (PNPs) that perform an essential 
service as defined under 44 CFR 206.223 may be eligible for debris removal. 

Contact Los Angeles County if you need more information about debris removal:

 Visit the LA County Debris Removal Website: recovery.lacounty.gov/
debris-removal/

 Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook 
page or Espanol page and at FEMA's YouTube account. For preparedness information 
follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.
gov or on the Ready Facebook page.

California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-
Force Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process. Visit CA.gov/LAFires 
for up-to-date information on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and 
how to apply for assistance.

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com