Councilmember Imelda Padilla funds $50,000 aid pool for informal workers affected by fires

Councilmember Imelda Padilla has helped create a $50,000 assistance pool for informal service workers in her district who lost work because of recent wildfires, officials said at a Feb. 2025 announcement at ICON CDC.

Padilla provided $25,000 and ICON CDC matched the contribution to create the $50,000 fund. According to the announcement at ICON CDC, eligible informal workers — described as gardeners, housekeepers and others in the service sector — can apply for a one‑time stipend of $250 for individuals or $500 for families.

Nut graf: The program is targeted at workers in the informal economy who the organizers said often cannot access federal benefits and need near‑term financial relief for rent, food and household expenses after losing clients or workplaces to fires.

Details: At the ICON CDC event, a representative described hearing multiple accounts from gardeners and housekeepers whose homes or places of work were destroyed; that prompt led Councilmember Padilla to seed the fund. The announcement emphasized immediate support and outreach to workers who operate as sole proprietors or small household‑service businesses (individuals who may serve multiple residences). The program was described as a stipend program rather than a loan.

Ending: Organizers encouraged impacted workers to contact ICON CDC or Council District 6 staff for application details and follow-up; the announcement directed residents to council social‑media channels and the district website for more information.