Those Who Lost Homes in Wildfires Get Relief on Apts.

Victims of the recent wildfires are going to need a lot of help to get back on their feet. First and foremost they'll need a place to live. Now some landlords are offering reduced rent, flexible leasing terms, and other deals for those who lost their home.

Not only are there some rental deals out there, but at least one home improvement store is offering discounts to fire victims, too.

Over 2,000 homes burned to the ground, and thousands more were damaged; California's wildfires drove a lot of people out of their homes. For most of them, temporary housing in an apartment is where they're headed. But if they end up at the right complex, they just might get a deal thanks to the California Apartment Association.

"It's a concerted effort among six apartment associations in Southern California, and we all kind of funneled everything through the California Apartment Association," said Scott Morrison, a vice president with Legacy Partners. "We all go together and we all tried to streamline the process for people that are displaced."

Morrison manages hundreds of apartments all over California. He says one of his complexes in San Bernardino is offering six months free rent to fire victims, no strings attached.
And there are similar deals at other apartments.

"Everybody's doing things a little bit differently," said Morrison. "Most of them, they're waiving security deposits, they're streamlining the process, they're waiving application fees, giving some concessions. Some owners are giving a couple months free rent."
Not only free rent, but flexible lease terms too.

"If they need a six-month lease or a three-month lease, or a five-and-a-half month lease -- whatever makes it easier for them is what we're trying to do," said Morrison.

If it's repairs to your home that you need, Material Matter Home Improvement Outlet in Corona may be able to help. It is a non-profit organization that collects new or gently used building materials, then donates or sells them.

"Everything in our store is generally 50 to 70 percent off retail everyday," said Jason McKinstry, president of Materials Matter. "And we have everything from kitchen cabinets, kitchen sinks, décor items, furniture -- anything you might need."

And what deal is McKinstry offering fire victims?

"What we're doing for any of the affected victims in the eight counties, they can bring in any of their disaster paperwork and we will give them 10 percent off any of our standard items for the rest of the year."