Public resource page
LAST UPDATED: Jan 31 2025 , 5:00 PM — bit.ly/gsgfireinfo
Volunteer/donation opportunities
Information and resources for renters
As you are searching for a new apartment…
The Graduate Student Government (GSG) extends our support to members of the Trojan community who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. We have compiled a list of resources (/bit.ly/gsgfireinfo) for those in need, as well as opportunities to volunteer in supporting the broader Los Angeles community.
For those facing hardships due to the fires, we understand your needs might shift throughout the recovery process. USG & GSG offer free legal counsel for students facing a crisis; here is the form to schedule a meeting. Additionally, GSG offers multiple grants for graduate students, including an emergency grant, a caretaker subsidy grant, and a neuropsychological evaluation grant. Please check out our engageSC page for details on how to apply. The USC Trojan Family Relief Fund is also open for applications: https://campussupport.usc.edu/applying-for-an-la-wildfires-relief-grant/.
We encourage you to monitor air quality. If you spend time in areas downwind from burn scars, limit time spent outdoors and use a N95 or P100 respirator mask while outdoors if you may have exposure to ash. If you have sensitive health conditions (e.g. asthma) and live in USC Housing units without air filtration, you can request temporary reassignment when the AQI on/near campus is in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range. Please refer to the “Ask the Experts” page on the safety.usc.edu site for additional information.
If you require accommodations from faculty, contact the Campus Support & Intervention staff team at (213) 740-0411 or email uscsupport@usc.edu. Graduate students can also reach out to gsgpres@usc.edu and gsgsvp@usc.edu to help direct your email to the relevant university staff.
Please feel free to reach out to GSG for any assistance. We hope you are staying safe and offering help where you can.
Stay strong and fight on!
*If you would like to add any resources or opportunities, please reach out to gsgpres@usc.edu, gsgsvp@usc.edu, gsgvpadvo@usc.edu, gsgvpadmin@usc.edu, and gsgvppro@usc.edu.
GSG Resources
- USG/GSG Legal counselling: bit.ly/GSGlegal
- GSG Emergency Grant: bit.ly/gsgerfund
- Need a N95 mask? Graduate students can obtain masks by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/gsgmasks
- Grocery gift card relief program: For graduate students affected by wildfires and those experiencing food insecurity. Through this program, we aim to address immediate needs by offering support such as food gift cards and resources to mitigate wildfire-related challenges.
Volunteer/donation opportunities
If you have donations or are interested in volunteering with wildfire recovery efforts, see the opportunities below.
USC
Donate to the Trojan Family Relief Fund, which will distribute directly to a USC student, faculty, or staff member impacted by the wildfires: giving.usc.edu/LAfire. | Learn more about the fund and how to apply here: https://campussupport.usc.edu/applying-for-an-la-wildfires-relief-grant/ |
City-wide
- LA Fires | In-person Volunteer opportunities spreadsheet: bit.ly/lafiresVOL
- L.A. Works list of volunteering opportunities: https://www.laworks.com/2025fires
- Fire Poppy Project Volunteer Sign Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIGKQnKrgvoACQ9tX0SJbztXeM8PbUG-R2DAnhA8CPNfkJwg/viewform
- In partnership with the Pasadena Tenants Union and Mutual Aid LA Network, Fire Poppy Project is organizing a community-based volunteer cleaning and remediation service to assist vulnerable renters impacted by smoke and ash damage whose landlords are doing nothing.
- Interactive map of city-wide resources, as well as information about donations needed at the difference resource centers: https://www.fireaid.info/
- USC would like to highlight the following organizations that are accepting donations and volunteers:
- California Community Foundation – Wildfire Recovery Fund. The foundation’s team utilizes data from CalFire and CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support.
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles – Wildfire Response Fund. The Fund will support low-income individuals whose livelihood has been disrupted, people experiencing homelessness and disruptions to community organizations and small businesses.
- American Red Cross – Los Angeles.The Red Cross uses data from CalFire and CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support.
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and volunteers to help distribute food and meals.
- Canine Rescue Club is looking for volunteers to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out a form on their website.
- Baby 2 Baby. Provides critical items, including diapers, food, formula and hygiene products for children and families who have lost their homes to the fires.
Campus support and resources
- Campus Support & Intervention staff team is available at (213) 740-0411 or email uscsupport@usc.edu.
- President Folt has asked faculty to provide maximum flexibility to students as we return to classes. If you encounter any issues with receiving accommodations from your professor, please contact Campus Support & Intervention staff. You can also reach out to gsgpres@usc.edu and gsgsvp@usc.edu and we can help direct your email to the relevant university staff.
- Counseling and Mental Health staff at Student Health is available for emotional support for students at (213) 740-9355 (WELL)
- Campus Emergency Page: The university is posting updates on the Emergency page with the latest information: https://www.usc.edu/emergency/. You can also reach out to the USC L.A. Wildfires 24/7 hotline at (213) 740-6291.
- If you have sensitive health conditions such as asthma and live in USC Housing units without air filtration, you can request temporary reassignment here: Temporary housing request form
- Immediate financial resources for students impacted by the fires: https://financialaid.usc.edu/emergency/
- Trojan Food Pantry — King Hall (KOH), Suite 103.
- Intake form: https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_emVpQpwlPCzsXA2
- Tuesdays, 10 AM – 2 PM
- Wednesdays, 10 AM – 2 PM
- Thursdays,10 AM – 2 PM
- Tommy’s Closet — King Hall (KOH), Suite 103.
- Sign-up form: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AAA72AA5FAC16-52247705-fall#/
- Mondays, 10 AM – 2 PM
City-wide resources
- Interactive map of city-wide resources: https://www.fireaid.info/
- LA Fire Resources - Jan 2025
- Restaurants offering free meals to fire evacuees: https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/news/these-l-a-restaurants-are-offering-free-meals-to-any-fire-evacuees-010825
- Emergency accommodations for evacuees from Airbnb.org, American Express, Hilton and 211LA: https://care.211cs.org/public-survey/86c5adf88e2a29c103df24ba5f48cd3f6cf9a9171207a15954dbb8b9649429f0
- Map of active wildfires: https:///www.fire.ca.gov/incidents
- City of Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery page: https://emergency.lacity.gov/recovery
- Relief fund for pregnant and/or postpartum families: bit.ly/apply-birthFUNDwildfirerelief
Health & Safety
- USC students, staff, and faculty can obtain masks by emailing ehs@usc.edu or filling out this form for voluntary use at no cost.
- Need a N95 mask but you aren’t near the USC campus? Masks are available for the public at all LA Public Library locations while supplies last. Visit lapl.org/branches for hours and updates.
- South Coast Air Quality Management District map of air quality: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6a6a058a177440fdac6be881d41d4c2c/
- How to stay safe during poor air quality: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/air-quality-los-angeles-fires
- Build your own air purifier: https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/news/science-action-how-build-corsi-rosenthal-box.
- South Coast AQMD is offering free air purifiers to residents of East LA, Boyle Heights, and Commerce! Apply for one here: https://www.aqmd.gov/nav/about/initiatives/environmental-justice/ab617-134/community-air-protection-incentives/residential-air-filtration-incentives.
Information and resources for renters
Taken from the LA Tenants’ Union.
If your unit was damaged…
- If your apartment was completely destroyed by the fire, your lease is no longer valid. You do not owe rent and your landlord must return any unpaid security deposit within three weeks.
- If your apartment suffered major damage and was red-tagged, you cannot safely or legally live in your apartment. However, you can decide if you want to keep your lease and move back in once repairs are made. You can demand relocation assistance from your landlord or apply for housing assistance from FEMA.
- If your apartment suffered minor damage, contact your landlord and report the damage to the city’s housing department or the County Department of Public health. You have the right to withhold rent if your landlord does not make urgent repairs.
Returning home after a fire…
- Department of Public Health information on safety precautions to take when returning home after a fire: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/WildFire/docs/returninghome/returning-home-after-fire.pdf
- Department of Public Health information on cleaning up after a fire: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-health/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/How-to-Clean-Up-Smoke-and-Soot-from-a-Fire.pdf
- http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=4937&row=25&start=1
If you lost belongings…
- If you have renters’ insurance, make sure your policy covers wildfire. Make a list of the items destroyed, gather pictures and receipts for the items to submit with your claim. Keep track of any expenses incurred as a result of having to relocate for reimbursement (lodging, meals, transportation, etc.), depending on your policy.
- If you do not have renters’ insurance: Apply for disaster relief through FEMA, which can cover essential items like temporary lodging, food, medication, and baby supplies. Apply here: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
As you are searching for a new apartment…
- During a state of emergency, renters are protected from price gouging. No landlords can raise rents more than 10% in apartments, hotels, motels, and emergency shelters.
- This also applies to new tenancies. Landlords cannot rent an apartment for more than 10% over what they charged a previous tenant or a previous list price. After you move into the apartment, notify the landlord in writing of the state of emergency law, Penal Code 396, and ask them to adjust the rent. If they refuse, seek legal help.
Housing resources
- If your housing was impacted by the fire: Housing Rights Center, https://www.housingrightscenter.org/get-help or 1-800-477-5977
- Action plan for renters who have lost their homes: https://rentersfirehelp.org/