Supporting the CZU Fire Community
Are you finding you need assistance in recovering from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire? Email [email protected] or call 831-920-4764 to relate to a disaster case manager. Please provide your name, disaster-impacted address, and best way to reach you.
Local organizations are collaboratively working together by helping disaster survivors and their families return to safe, sanitary, and secure housing by connecting them to available community financial resources, identifying household needs and program eligibility, assisting with advocacy and appeals, creating attainable recovery plans for disaster recovery and arranging construction resources and repair for property damaged by this natural disaster.
Santa Cruz County Recovery Resource Center aids those impacted by the recent wildfires and helps them navigate the recovery, permitting, and rebuild process.
CZU Fire Community Events Calendar
Community Wellness and Emotional Support
CalHope provides crisis counseling and resources, 833-317-4673.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides advice on managing stress. Call 800-232-4636
Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 trained crisis counseling to support people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5590, Press “2” for Spanish, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Mental Health Services for Alliance Medi-Cal Members can help children, teens, and adults improve quality of life by connecting them with a supportive mental health professional. Call 855-765-9700 24/7. For emergencies, call 911.
National Alliance on Mental Health Illness (NAMI) Crisis Helpline (800) 950-6264 Offers education and information about mental illness to help individuals and families find local support and resources they need. Visit the Santa Cruz NAMI chapter for programs and classes near you: www.namiscc.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline, Essential tools and support for survivors of domestic violence, 24/7/365, Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
Family Resource Centers
For assistance with food, basic essential items, and emergency financial/rental/rehousing support contact a local family resource center:
Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey 831-920-4764
Community Action Board (Davenport Resource Service Center) 831-425-8115
Community Bridges Mountain Community Resources 831-335-6600
Valley Churches United 831-336-8258
Food / Meal Delivery for Older Adults
Second Harvest Community Food Hotline 831-662-0991 Please see the monthly flyer linked at the bottom for further information about north county food distribution locations.
Teen Kitchen Project Free or low-cost meals for those with serious illness, 831-316-4540
Grey Bears Low Cost or Free Grocery Delivery program, 831-479-1055
Meals on Wheels Healthy meal delivery for older adults, 831-464-3180 ext. 100
Housing/Rebuild
The Community Tool Shed is open at Boulder Creek Rec and Park District. Free tool rentals for fire survivors at 15685 Forest Hill Drive, 831-703-4135
Disaster Loan Assistance Small Business Association’s low-interest loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners, and renters to replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Call 800-659-2955 or email [email protected].
Fannie Mae’s Disaster Response Network HUD-approved housing counselors can develop a personalized action plan, explain mortgage relief programs, provide financial coaching, and support clients’ successful recovery for up to 18 months to support safe, sustainable housing for homeowners and renters. You can qualify for housing counseling whether Fannie Mae owns your mortgage or not, 866-864-8989.
Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians English / Spanish provides detailed information about the types of federal, state and local disaster assistance services available in California. There are no costs to apply for these programs.
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is accepting applications for affordable homes for sale at Rodeo Creek Court in Live Oak. For an application or more information contact Family Services, 831-469-4663, ext. 14 or [email protected].
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides payment assistance for gas and electric, wood and propane costs and free home weatherization services for eligible low-income households in Monterey, Santa Cruz, & San Mateo Counties. Call 1-888-728-3637 for more information.
Insurance Help
California Department of Insurance aids on insurance issues if you are having trouble with processing your claim or have an underinsurance issue, 1-800-927-4357.
United Policyholders (UP) is a nonprofit organization that has been helping and advocating for insurance consumers since 1991. Through a Roadmap to Recovery program, UP provides FREE guidance on collecting available insurance benefits, making decisions, and getting back home after a catastrophic loss. Contact UP for further support at [email protected] or sign up here to get event notifications.
Legal Services
Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative (DLAC) offers a wide variety of legal assistance for disaster survivors, including FEMA benefits, insurance claims, landlord- tenant and homeowner issues, employment questions, and consumer issues. Call the hotline: 888-382-3406.
Disaster Legal Services may provide free legal help to low-income disaster survivors. DLS can help with insurance claims, legal papers lost in the disaster, home repair contracts and contractors, problems with landlords, proof of homeownership, and FEMA appeals, 1-800-624-33-62 TTY 1-800-462-7585.
Other Resources
Libraries Resource Page Resources for Recovery, Preparedness, and Ecological Understanding. Call 831-427-7713
Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County offers post-fire free webinars and on-site assistance which include on-site technical and planning help to assess post-fire land conditions and recommend appropriate actions related to natural resources. Call 831-464-2950 and Email: [email protected]
Santa Cruz SBDC free business advising assistance services. Call (831) 479-6136
Prepared, Not Scared A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing and Protecting Your Family, Pets and Property from the Threat of Wildfire, Including Evacuation Preparation and Safety Guidelines from the Fire Save Council of Santa Cruz.
These resources have been verified by the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group (SC LTRG), but their viability will be based on resource availability. This is a living document that will continue to be updated and maintained by 211 Santa Cruz County.
The Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group (SC LTRG) is a collaboration of non-profit, faith based, local, state, and national organizations that work together to share information and resources that can help address the needs of individuals and families affected by the CZU Wildfires. More information about the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group can be found HERE.