SAN DIEGO (MAY 1, 2024) – Today,  Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe secured bipartisan support for a board letter directing the County to address predatory lending and exploitative practices after declaring emergencies.  

In the wake of the most recent emergency declaration, the January 22nd floods, families are left to rebuild with the threat of financial hardship from predatory lending practices, price gouging, or other fraudulent business acts. Creating a layer of protection from predatory real estate lending and exploitative consumer practices would be a first step to securing the financial and social well-being of present and future natural disaster survivors.  

In response to today’s vote, Supervisor Montgomery Steppe said:  “Every individual deserves the opportunity to rebuild and recover with dignity, free from the predatory tactics that only deepen their distress from the January 22nd floods. Protecting flood survivors from these practices is not only a morally imperative but also a crucial step in ensuring their long-term recovery and financial stability. These safeguards will empower our flood survivors to rebuild their lives without financial burden and foster a more resilient and equitable recovery process.”  

According to San Diego County damage assessments , the flooding displaced over 1,200 San Diegans from their homes. Many property owners in the highly impacted areas did not have flood insurance coverage. Following the County’s review, this item will return for consideration and approval by the Board.  

Access the Board Letter here.