Faster Rebuilding: Cutting Red Tape
Local and state teams worked together to shorten timelines and make the rebuilding process easier. Thousands of permits have been issued, hundreds of homes are under construction across Altadena and the Palisades, and some families have even moved back home.
Accelerated Permitting
State + local changes help families get permits months faster than before.
Faster Review Times
Local review now takes under 30 days of reviewer time, on average.
More Staff to Speed Things Up
The state gave $4 million to local governments to hire more reviewers and speed up processing.
Continued Monitoring
Ongoing implementation and tracking of Executive Orders and new processes to expedite recovery.
Learn more about Archistar, an AI tool to fast track permitting
Financial Help Reaching Survivors
Relief Dollars Delivered to Families, Renters & Small Businesses.
- $3.2 billion + in Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans approved.
- $163 million + in FEMA funds provided directly to individuals for housing assistance and other disaster-related needs.
- $125 million in mortgage relief for impacted homeowners.
- $107.3 million to help rapidly build 673 new affordable rental homes for those impacted by fires.
- $23.4 million in grants awarded by the The LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Fund, with support from LA Rises.
Cleanup & Infrastructure: Clearing the Way
Thanks to the partnership of state, federal, and local government, California has broken records for the fastest disaster clean-up in American history.
Debris Removal
Public debris removal program cleared nearly 10,000 homes — months ahead of schedule.
Hazard Cleanup
100% of impacted lots cleared of hazardous waste within 30 days.
Power Lines Undergrounding
Local agencies have committed to undergrounding key power lines to reduce future fire risk and strengthen safety.
Water System Restoration
All 9 impacted water systems restored with safe drinking water, with infrastructure improvements underway to improve long-term resilience.
Review the community’s priorities for LA’s recovery, and learn how the government is taking action.
Community Spaces Coming Back
- Will Rogers State Historic Park — Reopened
- Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine — Reopened
- Loma Alta Park — Rebuilt and open
- Altadena Triangle Park — Reopened
- Mariposa Junction — Reopened
- Altadena Main Library — Reopened
- Altadena Town & Country Club — Reopened
Schools Back in Session
- 8 of 8 public schools damaged by fires resumed in person instruction within 100 days of the fires, due to quick action from the state.
- LAUSD and PUSD relocated students from destroyed campuses to nearby schools and temporary sites in continued service.
- Marquez Charter Elementary has returned to campus in September.
- Palisades Charter High School is returning to campus in January.
Partnerships Driving Recovery
Public–private partnerships and philanthropy brought new funds, faster solutions, and more support to families.
- 12 months of mortgage forbearance from banks and credit unions, and major national lenders are offering an additional 3 months, subject to investor approval
- A new AI tool for faster permitting
- Rebuilding resources to get families home faster
LA Rises has supported innovative programs in partnership with the State of California.
What’s Still Needed
We’ve Come Far — But Recovery Isn’t Finished.
Our vision is simple: every family deserves a stable, dignified path forward. We will continue pressing for the support survivors need and deserve. Together, we will rebuild, re-root, and reimagine our communities.
More Federal Support
- Survivors still face large financial gaps.
- Schools, Communities and Families need more federal funding to rebuild.
Insurance Must Do Its Part
- Insurance companies must meet their obligations so families can move home.
Financial Institutions Must Support Their Communities
- Recovery requires continued flexibility on mortgage payments for those who need it, and workable pathways for those leading forbearance.
- Banks must support innovative solutions to finance rebuilding.
Continued Local & State Action
- California continues pushing for faster, fairer, more inclusive recovery.
- California is working to close the gap between insurance payouts and the cost to rebuild.
- State leaders are advocating in Washington, D.C., urging federal partners to keep their commitments.
