Disaster Relief

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Address, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced the Disaster Displacement Assistance Improvement Act, legislation to improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Displacement Assistance program. The bill ensures that disaster survivors can access critical housing support without delays caused by insurance determinations.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the Protecting Homeowners from Disaster Act,which would restore the tax deduction for uninsured property and casualty losses eliminated by the Republicans’ 2017 tax overhaul.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced the Federal Disaster Assistance Act and the Disaster Loan Forgiveness Act to improve and expand federal disaster loan programs that provide critical resources and assistance to communities significantly impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies.

On Wednesday, Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, and Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, applauded the FEMA approval. Both worked with county, state and federal officials in the weeks since the storms hit the area.