First up is Fox: The Trump administration will allow california Wildfire survivors have immediate access to $3.2 billion in Small Business Administration disaster relief funds, bypassing local permitting delays that have stalled rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles for more than a year.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler called California’s state and local permit backlog a “nightmare” that is slowing down wildfire recovery efforts.

“Today, under President Trump’s leadership and together with EPA, the Small Business Administration is creating a rapid path to recovery for every borrower held hostage by the bureaucracy of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass,” Loeffler said.

One year after Los Angeles fires, politicians’ permitting promises look paltry

Aerial images show damaged and destroyed homes as a result of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images)

New SBA guidance allows builders to self-certify compliance with state and local requirements after an allowed delay of 60 days, allowing them to begin rebuilding without final local approval.

california state government Gavin Newsome Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

More than a year later, the most expensive and devastating series of events occurred wildfire In California, survivors remain stranded as recovery is slow due to red tape, rising costs and stalled aid. California’s strict rebuilding regulations, combined with the scale of the destruction, help explain why rebuilding has only just begun.

The Eaton Fire and the Palisade Fire burned together 37,728 acres, It was larger than California’s Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios combined, destroying more than 16,200 buildings along its path.

California wildfire victims face uphill battle as businesses, investors pour in

Firefighters use helicopters to drop water on destroyed homes as the Palisades Fire intensifies on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images)

Construction has begun on fewer than 600 of the destroyed homes and businesses, while more than 96 percent remain unaffected. Loeffler said fewer than 3,000 redevelopment permits have been issued across Los Angeles and fewer than 10 homes have been restored.

Under new SBA guidance, disaster loan borrowers can bypass stalled local permitting by having their builders self-certify into compliance with state and local regulations and begin rebuilding immediately.

Builders must certify to the SBA that all required permit applications were submitted more than 60 days ago, that delays were due to government inaction, and that all construction, health, safety, inspection and occupancy requirements will be met.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom inspects a charred utility pole while investigating damage from the Dixie Fire on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Greenville, Plumas County, California. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Meanwhile, California officials said the state is pursuing its own housing plan in the wake of wildfires.

Earlier this month, Newsom’s office announced $107.3 million in state housing funding for communities affected by wildfires, supporting nine projects that will create 673 new units of affordable housing in Los Angeles County. These projects will not replace homes destroyed by fires.