Long before the fires swept through Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and parts of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County was grappling with a severe housing crisis, leaving countless individuals newly homeless. Now, the challenge has only intensified, urging city and county officials, along with developers, to not just focus on rebuilding more resilient homes in the fire-affected areas but also push forward the construction of desperately needed housing.
The county was already short by half a million housing units, with over half of renters spending more than a third of their income on rent. Reports of landlords hiking rent prices, despite laws capping increases to 10% during a state of emergency, have further strained the situation.
Now more than ever, it’s crucial for the city and county to expedite the development of affordable housing projects. Fast-tracking these initiatives and cracking down on illegal rent hikes are imperative steps in addressing this crisis.
Rebuilding in the fire zones presents its own set of challenges. While streamlining the process, as Mayor Karen Bass has pledged, is necessary, it’s equally important to carefully assess fire-safe rebuilding strategies before construction begins.
There’s an immediate and pressing concern for those at risk of homelessness, particularly among workers like housekeepers and gardeners who lost their jobs when the homes they served were destroyed. Financial aid might be necessary for these individuals. As Tommy Newman of United Way of Greater Los Angeles puts it, there’s no insurance payout for a dishwashing job lost to a restaurant fire.
United Way has managed to raise around $8 million to support lower-income groups disrupted by the fires, aiming to assist individuals who lost homes or livelihoods, especially in Altadena. Moreover, they are actively working to prevent the displacement of long-term residents.
Of course, not everyone who lost a home will depend on financial aid beyond what insurance provides. Yet, there are homeowners who may find it financially daunting to rebuild or purchase a new home in LA. Should we let them relocate to different cities or states, or can local governments step in to help?
The advocacy group Abundant Housing LA has suggested various measures to speed up housing development, urging city and county officials to waive certain reviews for multiunit housing projects outside high fire-risk areas. Mayor Bass has already initiated such waivers for burned areas through an executive order. It’s a strategy that merits thoughtful consideration, especially as the need for more multiunit housing near transit and commercial centers grows.
This post-disaster phase should serve as a pivotal moment for officials to thoroughly evaluate and accelerate the development of essential housing across Los Angeles city and county.
