The Fox News Rundown Extra: Nearly a Year Later, California Wildfire Survivors Still Struggling
Jan 4, 2026
In this insightful discussion, Rob Fagnani and Rachel Jonas, both survivors of California wildfires and co-founders of DisasterMortgageRelief.com, share their ongoing struggles after losing their homes. They highlight the urgent need for mortgage relief, emphasizing the challenges posed by insurance gaps and impending payments on destroyed properties. As they advocate for extended forbearance periods and reforms to safeguard homeowners, they also reflect on the emotional toll and community resilience driving recovery efforts amid bureaucratic hurdles.
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Push For Longer, Credit-Safe Forbearance
- Push Congress to extend disaster mortgage forbearance to two to three years to match actual rebuild timelines.
- Seek loan modifications that avoid credit damage so survivors can access future financing for rebuilding.
One-Year Protections Clash With Multi-Year Rebuilds
- A one-year forbearance and ALE coverage often mismatch the multi-year reality of rebuilding after major disasters.
- Survivors face a balloon payment or credit-hit loan modification just as reconstruction remains incomplete.
Survivors Paying Rent And Mortgages
- Many wildfire survivors are paying rent while still carrying mortgages on destroyed homes and are underinsured.
- Surveyed homeowners in the Palisades and Altadena reported simultaneous rent and mortgage burdens that stretch finances thin.