Letters of Priority Entitlement (LOPE) for Wildfire Survivors

Wildfire survivors may be prioritized for subsidized housing through a Letter of Priority Entitlement (LOPE) from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It serves as a letter of support to individuals whose home has been damaged or destroyed in a Federally declared disaster.

This letter allows the recipient, who may not otherwise be eligible, to apply for housing in properties financed by USDA Rural Development or Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with priority placement in any vacant units. In the case of a wait list, a LOPE places the individual at the top of the waitlist.

Although a LOPE extends eligibility to USDA and HUD properties it does not guarantee placement in one of these properties.

If you are a wildfire survivor and you would like help getting a LOPE, please contact Zulema Rodriguez at zulema.rodriguez@usda.gov.

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