In the months since the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, the community has kept dealing with its effects. In addition to losing their homes, residents find themselves dealing with bureaucratic and economic issues while trying to rebuild. Due to the fire, the area was damaged greatly and residents still feel exposed.
A clear case of this problem is the story of Rachel Telleria, whose house was significantly damaged because of the fire. Despite her being insured with State Farm, she still had to fight for a long time to get even a basic payout. The blaze tore off the roof from the home, and afterward, it rained in her house because the insurance company did not patch it as promptly as planned.
Insurance Woes Highlight Broken System
Telleria’s story shows a larger challenge that many people affected by the Eaton Fire deal with: having to work through a challenging and unhelpful insurance system. At first, State Farm offered to cover only a part of the money needed to repair the truck. After the news report on ABC7, the insurance company decided to treat Telleria differently. Within a short time after the broadcast, she was contacted to provide her with urgent testing, roof repairs, and re-assigned her to a claims handler who would respond to her needs faster.
While Telleria hopes to be back in her country next month, she realizes that she is one of the fortunate ones. A number of people are homeless and still struggling to get materials to start rebuilding their homes.
Altadena Leaders Demand Action and Accountability
The community leaders are asking state officials to get involved due to the rising anger within Altadena. During the event, they asked the California government to spend $200 million helping those affected by the fires and protecting them from corporate takeover. The fund would assist non-profit organizations in restoring and repairing damaged homes, helping residents stay in them and not essentially selling them to outsiders.
To Julie Esnard, a long-time resident, “Altadena is not just houses; it’s about the people who live there.” “Actions, not words, is what we need right now.” Esnard and a few others believe that a lot of business real estate purchases could eventually force long-time local residents and their traditions out of their homes.
Rising Corporate Ownership Raises Alarms
According to community organizers, a troubling trend has been noticed in the data. Out of the 94 houses sold since the fire, nearly half ended up in corporate investors’ possession. A year before, however, there were only five cases of similar purchases. As a result, people worry about gentrification and losing their place in the neighborhood.
People in the area are concerned that all these projects will end up changing Altadena’s character. According to them, people who have lived here for a long time could be displaced if the state does not act promptly, leading to unequal reconstruction.
Difficulties with Budget Slow Down Recovery Rates.
While California faces a massive $12 billion budget deficit, it is important to provide recovery funding. Even with the financial hurdles, people who care about Altadena are urging it to get the aid it needs now. Executive Director Palin Ngaotheppitak said, “I know there is not enough money, yet this community needs attention as well.”
Those who support action say that inaction could leave permanent scars on both homes and the fabric of the neighborhood. They are still pushing for a promise from the state that local families should be put before financial profits.
