California LGBTQ+ communities face ongoing recovery challenges after Eaton Canyon fires

A report from the Williams Institute and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health finds that, one year after the 2025 Eaton Canyon fires, LGBTQ+ residents and businesses experienced greater housing vulnerability, reported discrimination when seeking recovery services, and faced elevated mental health impacts.

A joint report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health examines the impact of the 2025 Eaton Canyon fires on LGBTQ+ households and businesses at the one-year mark. The study combined a rapid needs assessment survey and a listening session to collect experiences from survivors. It reports that LGBTQ+ people entered the disaster with greater vulnerabilities and faced barriers while seeking recovery assistance. Key findings: - Housing vulnerability: LGBTQ+ residents were more likely to be renters than homeowners, and the survey found they were three to four times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ residents to need legal assistance with tenants' rights. - Barriers to aid: Participants reported being misgendered, having partnerships dismissed, and encountering paperwork problems with federal assistance when preferred names or sex-at-birth did not match records; some said these issues hindered access to services. - Well-being and community loss: Respondents reported higher rates of mental health conditions and described grief and disorientation after displacement; several noted the loss of LGBTQ-inclusive local spaces and described community fundraising as a primary source of support for some small businesses. Summary: The report indicates ongoing recovery challenges for LGBTQ+ survivors, including housing insecurity, legal needs, and difficulties accessing inclusive recovery services. Undetermined at this time.