Nine months after the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena, a new factsheet by UCLA Luskin researchers highlights deep racial and ethnic disparities in how homeowners are recovering.
The analysis from UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute and Center for Neighborhood Knowledge shows that while only a small number of families have sold or listed their homes, nearly 7 in 10 severely fire-damaged homes show no progress toward rebuilding. In addition, investors have purchased two-thirds of the homes that have changed hands, raising concerns about displacement and affordability.
The factsheet also shows that nearly six in ten Black-owned homes suffered severe damage — the highest rate of any group. Yet roughly 70% of all severely damaged homes show no visible steps toward recovery, with Black (73%) and Asian (71%) homeowners slightly more likely to remain stalled.
At the same time, Latino homeowners have filed rebuilding permits at the highest rate (30%), an early sign that some families are trying to move forward despite widespread underinsurance, soaring construction costs and complex permitting requirements.
“Altadena already had infrastructure limitations before the fire, and many families are now taking a wait-and-see approach: Many are waiting to see if their neighbors rebuild, some want to know if local businesses and services will return, and most are stuck figuring out how to pay for rebuilding because of financial barriers like underinsurance, little to no government support or the high cost of construction,” said Lori Gay, president and CEO at Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County.
Read the factsheet and full article.
