California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday issued an executive order to expedite the availability of temporary housing in areas ravaged by the ongoing fires, as well as protect residents against price gouging.
Directing state agencies to support local governments as they develop short-term shelter plans, the order also called for streamlining the construction and occupancy of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on properties burned in the blazes.
The order also included measures to ease the placement of temporary trailers, manufactured homes and recreational vehicles on private properties during rebuilding, while also suspending fees for mobile home parks for the next three years.
“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.
“Today, we are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation,” the governor added.
In addition to removing such regulatory roadblocks, the order also extended price gouging bans on hotel, motel and rental housing in Los Angeles County through March 8.
“Folks across the region are being preyed upon by greedy businesses and landlords, scam artists, and predatory buyers looking to make a quick buck off their pain,” Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement.
“Let there be no doubt that short-term rentals are a crucial housing resource, not a get rich quick scheme,” Bonta added. “We are always here to make sure our neighbors have a roof over their heads.”
