Officials said Friday that the deadline for government debris removal plans for government-operated Eaton and Palisade fires has been extended by two weeks, with some owners of more-net equipment now eligible.
The deadline for submitting entry rights and choosing to enter the U.S. Army Corps was extended from March 31 to April 15.
The Federal Emergency Administration said the Army’s cleanup is extended to most apartment buildings and some other types of multifamily housing at the request of local and state officials.
FEMA's District Administrator Robert Fenton said in a letter Friday to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Emergency Services Office that any residential property with at least one owner is now eligible for federal cleanup.
To consider duplex, townhouses and apartments, county officials must obtain forms of entry rights from the owners of a destroyed unit, as well as each owner of the homeowner association, Fema said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Linsdey Horvath's West Side area includes Malibu and Palisades, said in a statement that the county is continuing to advocate for the inclusion of nonprofits, churches, mobile home parks and commercial properties in the federal debris removal program.
Buildings that are fully leased to tenants generally do not comply with federally funded debris cleanup programs. FEMA said it is expected that apartment owners will “use their insurance and hire licensed contractors for debris removal.”
Fenton told Newsom's office Friday that the owner of the apartment building can still apply for Army cleanup, but their eligibility will be determined based on circumstances.
Fenton said the owners of these properties will need to include reasons for using federal funds in the cleanup. This could include debris to the property, posing a direct threat to public health and security, or removing debris that have economic impacts on the community.
Apartment building owners can also seek disaster assistance from small business associations.
