California lacks adequate disaster recovery funds.
The state should ensure enough disaster recovery funds are available in instances when the federal government does not provide a locale with a federal disaster declaration. When the federal government fails to declare a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not provide aid to survivors. Disaster funds are crucial to recovery for the uninsured and underinsured; without assistance, people surviving on limited incomes are not able to pay for necessary home repairs or relocation or replace necessary medical equipment.
Insurance companies are leaving the state and dropping Californians at an alarming rate.
Disasters can reduce the already limited accessible, affordable housing supply. Following a climate disaster, such as a wildfire, people with disabilities face greater challenges in finding housing that is both accessible and affordable. The available insurance options, including the FAIR plan, are still too expensive for most people on limited incomes and fail to provide full coverage. The state needs to work with the insurance industry to keep companies in the state and ensure affordable coverage is available to all homeowners.