The devastating wildfires ripping through Los Angeles have left more than just charred buildings and scorched earth in their wake. They’ve also ignited a new housing crisis, as thousands of displaced residents desperately seek new accommodations in an already tight rental market. But amidst the ashes, a more insidious threat has emerged: predatory landlords and scam artists looking to capitalize on the chaos.
A City on the Edge
The fires, which erupted on January 7th, quickly consumed entire neighborhoods, forcing mass evacuations and leaving many with nowhere to return to. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, but for those who lost their homes, the real emergency has only just begun.
We lost everything. Our house, our belongings, even our car. Now we’re just trying to find a place to stay, but everywhere we look the prices are through the roof.
– Maria Gonzalez, wildfire evacuee
Maria’s story is all too common. With a severe housing shortage already plaguing the LA area, the sudden influx of fire refugees has sent demand – and prices – skyrocketing. Some landlords have been caught hiking rents by 50% or more in the span of a few days, blatantly violating state price gouging laws in the process.
Preying on the Desperate
Unscrupulous property owners aren’t the only ones looking to profit from others’ misfortune. Scam artists have also descended like vultures, posting fake rental listings and promising non-existent aid in order to steal money and personal information from desperate fire victims.
- Bait-and-switch listings advertising suspiciously low rents, only to disappear after victims pay deposits and “application fees”
- Fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns and “charities” soliciting donations for displaced families
- Identity thieves phishing for sensitive data under the guise of rental and aid applications
For those already traumatized by losing everything, falling prey to these tactics can be a devastating second blow. But according to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, law enforcement is determined to prevent that from happening.
Anyone who tries to scam the people who have been through this tragedy, whether it’s a rental scam or price gouging, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. The last thing these victims need is to be victimized again.
– LA County Sheriff Robert Luna
Fighting Back
California Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed the sheriff’s hardline stance, reminding landlords and businesses that raising prices more than 10% during a declared emergency is a criminal offense under state law. He urged the public to report any suspected fraud or price gouging to the proper authorities.
But officials acknowledge preventing abuses is only half the battle. The other half is making sure displaced residents can actually find legitimate, affordable housing – a daunting challenge given LA’s pre-existing shortages and sky-high costs. To that end, the city and county have promised to:
- Fast-track new affordable developments and convert vacant buildings to emergency housing
- Provide rental assistance vouchers and help connect fire victims with vetted housing resources
- Pursue legal action against price gougers and fraudsters to the fullest extent
Still, for those currently living out of cars, shelters, or crashing with family, such promises may feel like too little too late. The road to recovery will be long, and the trauma of losing one’s home – and then potentially being exploited for it – even longer.
I know they’re saying they’ll help, but right now all that matters is I have nowhere to go and no way to afford these crazy rents. I already lost my house, now I feel like I’m losing my dignity too.
– John Thompkins, wildfire evacuee
As the ashes settle, LA finds itself facing yet another test of its resilience and compassion. In a city already grappling with homelessness and inequality, these wildfires have laid bare just how precarious housing security can be. The question now is whether officials and residents alike can rise to the challenge – and hold the opportunists at bay.
