If the wildfires around Reno disrupted your income, forced you out of your home, or left you struggling with unexpected expenses, there may be financial assistance available to help you recover.
The City of Reno has launched the AB 540 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, which provides temporary housing assistance to eligible households affected by the Bug, Fred Mountain, Stallion, and Hawk fires.
The program may help cover rent, temporary hotel or motel stays, security deposits, and certain financial hardships caused by the fires.
And there’s encouraging news: Up to $2 million has been identified for the relief effort, and recent reports indicate that the city is still encouraging affected residents to apply.
Here’s who may qualify, what the program covers, and how to request assistance.
What Is Reno’s AB 540 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program?
The AB 540 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program is an emergency housing assistance initiative administered by the City of Reno’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
It launched on September 3, 2026, to help households affected by several wildfires in Washoe County.
The program focuses on helping residents maintain or secure temporary housing when wildfire-related losses have made it difficult to cover essential expenses.
According to the city’s program information, assistance may be available for:
- Temporary hotel or motel accommodations.
- Rental payments for households experiencing wildfire-related financial hardship.
- Security deposits associated with eligible housing needs.
- Certain wildfire-related losses, including spoiled food from prolonged power outages, through a rental assistance credit.
This is not a direct cash grant.
Approved assistance is generally paid directly to a landlord, hotel, motel, or other eligible housing provider rather than being deposited into an applicant’s bank account.
That means the program may help reduce your housing expenses, but it isn’t intended to provide unrestricted cash for any purchase.
Which Wildfires Are Covered?
The program was announced in response to four wildfires affecting communities in and around Reno:
- Bug Fire
- Fred Mountain Fire
- Stallion Fire
- Hawk Fire
The City of Reno’s current program materials specifically identify the Bug, Fred Mountain, and Hawk fires. Stallion was also included in earlier announcements and local reporting.
If you were affected by the Stallion Fire, contact the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department to confirm whether your circumstances qualify under the current program guidelines.
The assistance is intended for eligible households in:
- Reno
- Sparks
- Unincorporated Washoe County
You do not necessarily need to have lost your entire home to request assistance.
Households experiencing qualifying financial hardships related to the fires may also be eligible.
Who Can Qualify for Assistance?
To qualify, your household generally must live in the covered geographic area, have been affected by an eligible wildfire, and meet the program’s financial requirements.
The program may help people who experienced circumstances such as:
- Being temporarily displaced from their homes.
- Losing income because of the wildfires.
- Facing unexpected expenses that made it difficult to pay rent.
- Experiencing other qualifying wildfire-related housing hardships.
The program also has an income limit.
Income Must Generally Be at or Below 150% of Area Median Income
The City of Reno uses 150% of Area Median Income (AMI) as an eligibility threshold.
Area Median Income is a measure of typical household income in a particular area, adjusted for household size.
The applicable income limit depends on how many people live in your household.
For example, the city’s published guidelines list an income limit of approximately $175,250 for a four-person household.
That is a relatively high threshold compared with many traditional low-income housing programs.
According to recent local reporting, city officials have indicated that no household had been denied solely for exceeding the program’s income limit at the time of the report.
However, that does not eliminate the income requirement. Applicants still need to meet the program’s applicable eligibility rules.
If you’re unsure whether your income qualifies, you can contact the city before deciding not to apply.
You can also read our guide to Area Median Income to better understand how these limits work.
What Expenses Can the Program Cover?
The assistance available depends on your housing situation and the specific losses or financial hardships caused by the wildfires.
1. Temporary Hotel or Motel Stays
If the wildfires forced you to leave your home or made your housing situation temporarily unsafe, you may qualify for assistance with a hotel or motel.
The program can provide eligible temporary lodging assistance for up to 90 days.
This may be particularly helpful for families who need somewhere to stay while arranging repairs, returning home, or finding another housing option.
Approval depends on the program’s requirements and your household’s circumstances.
2. Rental Assistance
Renters who experienced qualifying wildfire-related hardships may be eligible for help with rental payments.
For example, you may have missed work because of the fires or incurred unexpected expenses that left you unable to cover your regular rent.
The program offers short-term housing assistance, generally limited to up to 90 days.
Payments are made directly to the landlord rather than to the tenant.
The rental unit must also meet applicable program requirements, including rent limits when relevant.
The city’s guidelines reference a limit of 110% of Fair Market Rent for certain eligible rental assistance.
3. Security Deposit Assistance
Eligible households may also qualify for help with a security deposit when securing housing after a wildfire-related hardship.
The city’s program guidelines allow security deposit assistance of up to three times the monthly rent, subject to eligibility and program limits.
This may help households that need to move into another rental property after being displaced.
The program may also cover an eligible rental application fee.
4. Assistance Related to Spoiled Food
Wildfire-related power outages can cause families to lose hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries.
The AB 540 program includes limited assistance for certain food losses associated with prolonged outages.
However, this benefit works differently from a traditional food replacement payment.
Under the city’s guidelines, eligible food-loss assistance may be calculated at up to $400 per person for one month and applied as a credit toward rental expenses.
It is not a separate cash payment or grocery reimbursement check.
If you lost food because of a wildfire-related outage, explain the circumstances when contacting the city and ask whether the loss qualifies for assistance.
5. Assistance for Homeowners
Homeowners may also qualify for certain benefits, but the available assistance differs from what renters can receive.
According to the city’s program information, homeowners may be eligible for temporary hotel or motel assistance and certain deposit-related assistance.
The program is not a general home repair grant, and homeowners should not assume that ordinary mortgage payments or property repairs will be covered.
If you own your home and were affected by one of the fires, ask the city which specific benefits apply to your situation.
How Much Funding Is Available?
When the program launched in September 2026, initial reports described approximately $1 million in disaster relief funding.
More recent reporting indicates that up to $2 million has been made available or identified for the assistance effort.
The funding is connected to Nevada’s wildfire emergency response and the state’s Attainable Housing Account.
According to recent local coverage, approximately $205,000 had been awarded to 58 households at the time of reporting.
That suggests a substantial portion of the announced funding had not yet been awarded at that point.
However, the amount remaining can change as additional households are approved.
The city has not guaranteed that funding will remain available indefinitely.
The program operates while funds are available, so eligible residents should consider applying rather than assuming assistance will still be available later.
How Do You Apply?
You can request assistance through the City of Reno’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
Apply Online
The city uses an online assistance portal for its rental and deposit assistance programs.
You can access the application here:
City of Reno Rental and Deposit Assistance Portal
Follow the application instructions and provide information about your household, housing situation, and wildfire-related hardship.
If you have difficulty using the portal, contact the department for assistance.
Apply in Person
The city also provides assistance through its Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
Visit the City of Reno Housing and Neighborhood Development website for current office information and available walk-in appointment times.
Because office schedules can change, check the website or call before visiting.
Contact the Program Directly
If you have questions about eligibility, documentation, or the application process, contact:
City of Reno Housing and Neighborhood Development
Phone: 775-541-8926
Email: Housingassistance@reno.gov
You can ask whether your particular wildfire-related hardship qualifies and what documentation you’ll need.
What Documents Will You Need?
The city may request information to verify your household’s eligibility and the financial hardship caused by the wildfires.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need documents such as:
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of household income.
- A lease or other housing documentation.
- Information about your landlord or housing provider.
- Records showing wildfire-related income loss or additional expenses.
- Other documents requested by the program.
The exact requirements depend on the assistance you’re requesting.
One important detail: The city’s guidelines generally allow applicants eight business days to provide missing documents after they are requested.
If you miss that deadline, your application may be withdrawn or otherwise affected.
If you’re having trouble obtaining a document, contact the program as soon as possible rather than waiting for the deadline to pass.
When Is the Application Deadline?
The AB 540 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program launched on September 3, 2026.
The city has not published a specific final application deadline in the program information reviewed.
Instead, assistance is available while funding lasts.
Recent reporting indicates that the city has continued encouraging eligible wildfire survivors to apply.
However, that does not guarantee that money will still be available when you submit your application.
If you think you qualify, contact the department to confirm the program’s current status.
You can call 775-541-8926 or email Housingassistance@reno.gov.
Is There Other Help for Nevada Wildfire Victims?
Yes. If you were affected by the Reno-area wildfires, other disaster recovery resources may also be available.
Nevada Emergency Management Assistance
Nevada’s emergency management agencies have provided resources for wildfire survivors, including ways to request additional recovery support.
Depending on the disaster and available services, survivors may be connected with case management or other assistance.
A case manager may be able to help identify recovery resources based on your household’s needs.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may offer disaster loans for qualifying losses when an applicable disaster declaration is in place.
Despite the agency’s name, certain SBA disaster loans are available to homeowners and renters, not just businesses.
These loans may help cover eligible uninsured or underinsured disaster-related losses.
SBA disaster assistance is generally a loan that must be repaid, not a grant.
Eligibility, interest rates, covered losses, and application deadlines depend on the specific disaster declaration.
You can check current disaster assistance opportunities at SBA.gov.
Call 211 for Local Assistance
If you need immediate help with housing, food, or other essentials, you can also call 211.
Local referral specialists may be able to connect you with organizations serving wildfire-affected households in Washoe County.
Availability depends on the resources currently operating in your community.
Relief Recap
Recovering from a wildfire can be financially overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with missed work, unexpected housing expenses, or damage to your home.
The City of Reno’s AB 540 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program may provide temporary relief to eligible residents of Reno, Sparks, and unincorporated Washoe County affected by the recent wildfires.
The program may help with:
- Temporary hotel or motel accommodations for up to 90 days.
- Short-term rental assistance.
- Eligible security deposits and rental application expenses.
- Certain wildfire-related food losses through a rental assistance credit.
The relief effort has expanded from its initial $1 million announcement to up to $2 million in identified funding.
Recent reports indicate that the city is still encouraging households to apply, but assistance remains subject to available funds and eligibility requirements.
If your household was affected, you can begin through the City of Reno assistance portal or contact the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department at 775-541-8926.
You don’t have to figure out every part of disaster recovery on your own. Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, asking about the program may help you find out what support is available.
