Newsom Expands California Mortgage Relief to $100K Per Household

Governor takes aim at Trump administration over wildfire aid as state boosts disaster assistance.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an expansion of the state's mortgage relief program, increasing the maximum assistance per household from $20,000 to $100,000. The move comes as Newsom accused the Trump administration of 'turning its back' on California fire survivors, signaling an aggressive shift by the state to bypass stalled federal disaster aid and provide direct cash infusions to homeowners impacted by recent wildfires.

Why it matters

The expanded mortgage relief program is intended to help California residents who lost their homes in devastating wildfires, such as the Palisades and Eaton fires that caused up to $53.8 billion in property damage. Newsom's criticism of the federal government's response highlights the ongoing tensions between California and the Trump administration over disaster aid and recovery efforts.

The details

Under the expanded program, disaster-affected homeowners now qualify for a full 12 months of mortgage payment relief, up from the previous 3 months. To date, $6.5 million has been paid to 793 recipients, with a significant portion of the $1 billion fund's budget still available. The state is also pushing to use rebuilding funds to incentivize 'all-electric' homes, which can cost $3,000 to $10,000 less than mixed-fuel homes but align with California's climate mandates.

  • The Palisades and Eaton fires were contained by the end of January 2025.
  • On Thursday, Newsom announced the expansion of the state's mortgage relief program.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who announced the expansion of the state's mortgage relief program and criticized the Trump administration's response to the wildfires.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose administration's response to the California wildfires was criticized by Governor Newsom.

Kelly Loeffler

The administrator of the Small Business Administration, who argued that federal loans are already approved but are being blocked by California's 'local permitting backlogs' and 'red tape'.

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What they’re saying

“We've been on the ground, listening and adjusting to meet people's evolving needs. That's why we're expanding this program — to close the gap between relief and long-term recovery and make sure folks get the help they need to move forward.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (timebulletin.us)

“With President Trump's leadership and alongside EPA, the SBA is opening an expedited path to recovery for every borrower who has been held hostage by the bureaucracy of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.”

— Kelly Loeffler, Administrator, Small Business Administration (timebulletin.us)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.