Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)introduced the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, which would grant homeowners in areas that have received disaster declarations from the President, Governors, or Tribal leaders 180 days of mortgage forbearance to support household recovery, along with an option of a 180 day extension without accumulation of interest or penalties. The act would provide mortgage relief for disaster survivors across the country, helping alleviate financial hardships. Anyone residing in an area that has received a disaster declaration from any of the authorities described above from January 1, 2025, would be eligible to request forbearance.
“Earlier this year, we watched as families in Los Angeles were devastated by wildfires, and to date, many homeowners are still struggling to rebuild from this disaster. I am proud to introduce this bill so that those who have been affected by natural disasters receive the assistance they need when they need it the most. As natural disasters become more frequent due to climate change, it is critical that we pave a path to stability for homeowners in times of crisis. This is an issue that impacts both red and blue states alike, and I’ll push hard to ensure Congress passes this legislation,” said Senator Schiff.
“Coloradans know all too well how difficult it is to pick up the pieces and move forward after catastrophic wildfires. When mounting financial and emotional costs of recovery weigh on families, they should be able to take time to put their lives back together and rebuild their homes. This legislation gives Coloradans the necessary support they need to get back on their feet after a disaster,” said Senator Bennet.
“After a natural disaster, survivors often have many extra expenses for temporary relocation and basic needs, and may also be facing job loss or medical bills. This bill will ensure that disaster survivors can begin rebuilding their lives before they are required to resume making mortgage payments if they are unable to do so at the outset,” said Alys Cohen, Director of Federal Housing Advocacy, National Consumer Law Center.
“Disasters don’t just destroy homes—they deepen the financial hardship for the lowest income families who were already struggling to make ends meet. By enacting the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, Congress can ensure that impacted low-income homeowners can pause their payments while they recover, preventing displacement and ensuring families can stay in their communities after disasters strike,” said Renee Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
“When disasters strike, homeowners shouldn’t fear a second catastrophe: losing their home to foreclosure. The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act provides essential consumer protections for families recovering from disasters, ensuring that they can access mortgage forbearance for up 360 days without facing penalties and fees. Just as importantly, it sets clear, uniform standards for servicers across the country, so homeowners get the same fair treatment no matter where they live,” said Sharon Cornelissen, Director of Housing, Consumer Federation of America.
The bill is endorsed by the Consumer Action, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), National Low Income Housing Center, National Housing Law Project, Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Federation of America, and Neighborhood Housing Services LA.
U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Background:
Senator Schiff has previously led legislation aimed at supporting those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires and natural disasters across the country. In April 2025, the Senator was joined by Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) in introducing the bipartisan Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization and Lowered Liability (FIREWALL) Act to promote community resilience to natural disasters through a new federal tax credit. Additionally, the Senator introduced the Incorporating National Support for Unprecedented Risks and Emergency (INSURE) Act in June 2025 to stabilize the home insurance market through the creation of a federal catastrophic reinsurance program, keeping insurance premiums affordable for those in disaster-prone states.
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