Adult Entertainment Businesses Barred from Wildfire Relief Grants
LOS ANGELES — Businesses affected by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires will soon have access to a $1 million relief fund spearheaded by the nonprofit Steadfast LA and supported by the Banc of California. The initiative, launched in early August, offers emergency grants of up to $50,000 for local companies struggling to recover.
But not all industries qualify. According to Pasadena Now, adult entertainment businesses are explicitly excluded from eligibility—alongside liquor stores, smoke/vape shops, and lending organizations.
Relief Aimed at Local Businesses
The campaign is administered through LiftFund, a nonprofit community lender, and requires applicants to have a business checking account in Palisades, Malibu, or Altadena. Organizers state the goal is to assist small businesses that form part of the region’s economic and social fabric.
Rick Caruso, founder and chairman of Steadfast LA, emphasized the program’s community focus:
“These businesses aren’t faceless storefronts. They are the fabric of the community. They are made up of people: owners, employees, and loyal customers. They deserve an advocate to help address the challenges they’re facing through no fault of their own.”
Exclusion Sparks Debate
While Caruso’s statement underlined compassion for impacted businesses, the decision to exclude adult entertainment venues highlights a persistent divide in how such businesses are treated in disaster recovery efforts. Many industry advocates argue that these businesses employ workers and contribute to local economies just like other establishments—and therefore deserve equal access to aid.
The Bigger Picture
As the recovery fund begins distributing grants, questions remain about inclusivity and fairness in relief distribution. For now, adult industry businesses impacted by the wildfires must look elsewhere for support, despite being part of the same communities the program was designed to help.
