www.palisadesnews.com
May 2026 September 2025
Two-Thirds Palisades Fire Survivors Remain Data ShowsofRebuilding Progress in PostDisplaced, Survey Shows Fire Palisades Displacement Pali Builds’ September 1 analysis. The numbers indicate to Processing times for new building rates have fallen a surge in permitting permits averaged around 63-77 days in summer months, up from 31 faster in Pacific activity, particularly days in March, suggesting growing administrative demands as applications Palisades than in in recent months increase. Pali Builds, founded by locals other areas like to fill gaps in official data, continues New data from Pali Builds, a tracking until the LA Mayor’s Office community platformdropping tracking recovery provides comprehensive figures. Altadena, from the January wildfires, shows Home sales data through August 1 8significant percentage pointsin reveals rebuilding momentum 160 lots sold since the January 7 Pacific Palisades, with 179 new home fires, totaling $477.7 million. since December permits approved since the fires and 160 The market shows stark disparities lots sold generating nearly $478 million More than a year after the Palisades in sales, highlighting a robust but uneven Fire devastated neighborhoods in this housing market. affluent coastal enclave, two-thirds of The numbers indicate a surge in residents who lived there at the time permitting activity, particularly in recent remain displaced, according to a new months. survey that highlights ongoing struggles From January to August 2025, Los and uneven recovery. Angeles approved 179 new homes in The fifth quarterly “Community the 90272 zip code, with approvals Voices” report by the Department of accelerating over time: only two in March Angels, based on responses from more but jumping to 76 in August, according than 2,000 fire survivors across impacted areas including Pacific Palisades, shows progress for some but deepening financial and emotional strain for many, particularly those who lost homes entirely. Displacement rates have fallen faster in Pacific Palisades than in other areas like Altadena, dropping 8 percentage points since December to contribute to
by area: Area 8 led with 11 sales at an average $10.6 million and median $10.2 million, contributing $116.4 million in volume, while Area 2 had 16 sales averaging $1.7 million. Area 5 saw the most activity with 48 sales averaging an overall decline. Still, the report states $2.1 million. Buyer composition from that about two in three from January to July included survivors 85 individuals Altadena Pacific Palisades remain (53%), 64or entities (40%), and 11 displaced. Thosepointing with damaged but unknown (7%), to substantial standing homes are returning in greater institutional investment in the recovery. numbers, while fewer than 1% of totalloss survivors have moved back to their original properties. Many total-loss survivors have instead purchased homes outside the burn zones. Temporary housing insurance is running out for many. Some 38% of survivors have already exhausted their along with city soon, leaders coverage or will withand 22%officials, already rallied against the bill. is out and just 16% having more“SB than 79 a year 100 times worse than existing laws,” Pacific Palisades Residents Association President Jessica Rogers said, warning of risks in wildfire-prone areas like the Palisades, citing inadequate evacuation routes and infrastructure strain. In August, the Los Angeles City Council voted 8–5 in opposition to SB 79, led by Councilwoman Traci Park and Councilmember John Lee. Park, whose district includes the Palisades, called a “Sacramento attemptBoard to hijack The itLos Angeles County of local planning,” silencing residents. The Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday Pacific Palisades Community to establish a Disaster Recovery Council Rebuild also urgedaimed Newsom to veto the longbill, Authority at coordinating referencing his emergency order limiting term recovery efforts following the dense housing in fire devastating Eaton andzones. Palisades fires that “Thisthe bill struck region.opens the floodgates forThedevelopers, displacement, and new authority, housed within the Los Angeles County Department of gentrification, with no regard for our Public Works, will neighborhoods,” Parkoversee said inrebuilding a Sept. efforts in fire-impacted 13 statement, noting thatunincorporated Los Angeles communities, and has thousands including of housingAltadena units under areas of the SB Santa Mountains. construction. 79,Monica she argued, would The measure co-authored by undermine years was of planning to place Supervisors Kathryn and Lindsey housing along transit Barger corridors. P. Days Horvath. after its passage, Park introduced saidcity the departments authority is a County motion officials directing Continue on90-day page 7 to conduct a comprehensive
remaining. Lower- and middle-income families face acute risks: among those earning under $100,000, few believe they could afford housing long-term without it. Financial gaps loom large. Homeowners estimate needing an average of more than $600,000 out-of-pocket beyond expected insurance payouts to rebuild, with the figure higher in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Renters report needing around $250,000 on average to replace belongings and cover temporary costs. Out-of-pocket expenses top the list of rebuilding barriers, followed by
insurance delays and environmental concerns. Nearly half of survivors have depleted significant savings, and more than 4 in 10 have taken on debt, with a median exceeding $100,000. Total-loss survivors and homeowners carry heavier burdens. People of color, including Latino and Black survivors, report disproportionate impacts such as cutting back on food or facing housing instability. Mental health remains a pressing issue, with 74% of survivors saying theirs has worsened since the fires —
Lawmakers Pass SB 79, Sparking Outcry Over Local Control Loss
Some decried the bill, now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, for ignoring traffic, infrastructure, environmental, The authority and than a year after public safety concerns the fires is intended
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County Supervisors Establish Authority to Oversee Rebuilding Efforts By streamline Zach Armstrong to California lawmakers approved rebuilding efforts, Senate Bill 79, a controversial housing mandate some have decried for ignoring coordinate infrastructure and public safety concerns, across agencies in mid-September, prompting fierce opposition from Los Angeles leaders. and accelerate The legislation, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), allows for infrastructure more multi-family housing development near transit stops, permitting taller and restoration as denser buildings closer to major transit hubs and allowing transit thousands of agencies to build on their own land. The bill also requires a share ofcontinue affordable housing residents units in new projects. In late August, a crowd of Palisadians, recovering more
assessment of SB 79. The motion instructs the Departments of City Planning, Transportation, and Housing, along with the City Attorney, to analyze the bill’s effects. The report will include
maps of areas within a quarter-mile and half-mile of transit stops subject to SB 79, impacts on rent-stabilized housing, historic districts, coastal zones, and high-risk fire and tsunami areas.