More than seven months after the Palisades Fire swept through parts of California, most people affected still have no permanent homes. A new survey shows that over 70 percent of those impacted are still living in temporary housing. The survey, conducted by the Department of Angels, reached 2,300 residents across Los Angeles County who were affected by the fire in January.
The results were striking. About 75 percent of people from Pacific Palisades and 67 percent from Altadena are still in temporary places. Many expect they won’t stay put for long and will need to move again soon. Those who lost everything in the fire have struggled to find stable housing. But people whose homes suffered structural, smoke, or ash damage have actually had to move more often.
Among residents who lost their homes in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and Malibu, 22 percent expected to move again within six to twelve months. Another 9 percent thought they would move within just a few months. For those with damage rather than total loss, 19 percent expected to move in the near future, and 18 percent thought they’d have to move within a year.
The housing challenges come amid discussions about funding to help rebuild. Someone familiar with the situation told Fox News that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has funds available through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program. Before a recent government shutdown, officials planned to meet with HUD to discuss how to use those funds to rebuild and improve local infrastructure.
At a recent Senate hearing, Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida heard directly from victims about the fire’s impact. Among the speakers was Spencer Pratt, a star from the reality show The Hills, who has become an advocate for fire survivors. Pratt shared that while his family survived, they lost their home and everything they owned.
The fire was devastating, destroying 7,000 structures and taking 12 lives just in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas. Despite the scale of the disaster, California Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism for how the aftermath has been handled. Some lawmakers, including Senator Johnson, have suggested the possibility of subpoenaing Newsom to explain state and local responses to the fire.
With many residents still uncertain of where they will live in the coming months, it’s clear the road to recovery remains long. The need for support and clear action to help affected communities rebuild is urgent as the state moves forward.
