Altadena RV Temporary Housing Project

Affordable housing and homelessness

Other

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The Eaton Canyon wildfires disproportionately impacted Altadena’s Black community, with 48% of Black households experiencing major damage or destruction, compared to 37% of non-Black households (UCLA study). Disparity linked to historic housing discrimination concentrated Black families in West Altadena, areas vulnerable to the fire. Black homeownership rate in Altadena was 81%, double the national average. The fire disrupted passing down homes to family members, impacting generational wealth. Studies show that the longer one takes to return and rebuild, the less the likelihood of returning. RVs facilitate a rapid return. With LA's severe housing shortage exacerbated by the fire, many moved far away to find an affordable home, so they feel isolated. Some pay over $4,000/month with insurance money, which should be saved for increasing costs of building materials due to tariffs. Many want to return, if they can affordably purchase an RV or stay in one RV for $1/month during the rebuild.

The Altadena RV Temporary Housing Project plans to help 30 families who have lost their homes, have a partial burn or need extensive repair and remediation. If sufficient funds come in, we can expand the project to more families. The initial goal is to find one family who can complete the remediation, the partial burn or repair within a year. We now have funds for one RV for a year. RVs will be provided at a deeply discounted cost. This family must be willing to have their story told publicly, including moments of getting the keys for the RV, their experience living there and when they move into their home. During their stay, we will be interview and film this family, making clips for the radio, TV and social media to invite the public to support this project to help 30 families. Families can choose to stay in a RV for up to a year at $1/month or purchase the RV at a discounted price with our $15,000 down payment assistance. We have the capacity to serve more than 30 families if funds are obtained. Once our first family is identified through our application, interview and vetting process, they will need to obtain a permit from LA County to have an RV on their site, obtain and pay for insurance on the RV, and ensure that the hook ups are ready and be responsible to pay their water, sewer and electricity cost. El Monte RV will ensure everything is set up properly and safely. El Monte RV has a hotline for questions regarding the use of the RV.

Success is when Altadena households choose not to sell their property because they see a path forward by staying in an RV. Success is when “block captains" who've put signs up on their blocks seeking to connect with their neighbors really do connect, facilitated by folks finding temporary RVs, ADUs, and mobile homes to live in during their rebuilds. Success will be creating an affordable way for devastated families to return in a secure and comfortable RV, where they can quickly have a working kitchen, shower, bed and the basics on their own property. Success is when some neighbors collaborate on the rebuilds so they can save money using the same contactor and purchase materials in bulk with economies of scale. We will see success when they can enjoy potluck meals with family and neighbors on their vacant land and grieve and plan their next steps together. Success is when smiles and laughter return to their faces in this devastated place. We can hardly wait to witness this happening.