Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-CA, issued an executive order on Thursday to fast-track the availability of temporary housing in areas affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
The executive order directs state agencies to support local governments in developing short-term shelter plans for wildfire-hit residents. It will also help streamline the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that were burned.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are smaller, independent living spaces built on the same property as a single-family home. They typically include their own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. They can be attached to the main house, built as a separate structure, or created by converting existing spaces like basements or garages.
"As thousands of Los Angeles residents have been faced with sudden displacement, the state is taking decisive action to help provide housing and assistance as quickly as possible," Newsom said in a statement, as quoted by The Hill.
Other Executive Orders
In addition, Newsom included measures to help ease the placement of temporary trailers and manufactured homes on private properties while the city is still rebuilding. It also suspends fees for mobile home parks until 2028.
Furthermore, the executive order would extend a ban on price gouging rental prices and hotel and motel fees until March 8.
What Is the Latest News on the LA Wildfires?
The devastating fires have killed 27 people and destroyed more than 12,300 structures since last Tuesday, according to NBC News. The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, have burned more than 37,000 acres combined. New data from CAL Fire show that firefighters are making progress on containment efforts as weather conditions improve. The Palisades Fire is 27% contained,t and the Eaton Fire is 55% contained.
While the strongest winds have weakened, giving firefighters a much-needed break, officials warn that dangerous fire weather conditions are expected to return next week. The National Weather Service has cautioned about another bout of Santa Ana winds in the coming days. CNN reported that about 82,400 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 90,400 facing evacuation warnings.
