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An Information-Sharing Cooperative | Powered by the Altadena Libraries |
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Do you have Altadena-specific news or fire resources to share? Email news@altadenalibrary.org to submit.
Beginning in January 2026, Altadena Connections will move to a biweekly format. |
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Eaton Fire Collaborative Housing & Recovery Survey for Eaton Fire Survivors |
If you were affected by the Eaton Canyon Fire, please take a few minutes to complete the DENA Housing Needs Survey. Your responses help ensure you get the housing, financial, and recovery support you need.
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Paid PCC Interns Available to Support Eaton Fire Recovery Efforts |
Skilled Trades Connect, a workforce initiative led by SoCal Trades Tour, is offering 100-hour, paid internships at no cost to local organizations supporting Eaton Fire recovery. Pasadena City College students ages 18 to 24 are ready to begin placements immediately and can assist with a wide range of tasks, including field support, administrative planning, documentation, community outreach, and other rebuild-related functions.
How it works:
- Submit the Worksite Interest Form.
- Receive curated candidates and interview at your discretion.
- Host an intern paid $17.87/hour through LA County Workforce Development.
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Rotary Club of Altadena Accepting Fire Relief Grant Applications
Deadline: Dec. 31 |
The Altadena Rotary Fire Relief grants will support community projects that benefit Altadena residents, businesses, services, and charities affected by the Eaton Fire. Applications will be considered and prioritized on the basis of need and impact.
Grant applications must be completed by not-for-profit 501(c) organizations only. Organizations may sponsor projects by individuals, businesses, or units of government. Grant projects must be intended for and completed within the unincorporated area of Altadena.
Grants are available between $500 and $5,000. Matching funds are encouraged but not required. Funding for a purpose that is part of a larger project is acceptable. Grants will be considered on a rolling basis each quarter with deadlines of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2025.
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EFRU Wildfire Recovery: Indoor Contamination
Deadline to file insurance claim: Jan. 6, 2026 |
If you found ash anywhere on your property after the Eaton Fire, the inside of your home was likely contaminated by extremely toxic contamination. Even if you wiped up all the ash yourself or had someone clean it up months ago, hazardous contamination can be invisible and still be in your home. You will want to get your home tested for lead and TEM asbestos, which will inform what kind of remediation you should have done.
Testing and remediation can be very expensive (tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars). Be sure to file your claim by January 6, 2026. Most insurance policies only allow you one year to file a claim.
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Groups call on SoCal Edison to advance urgent housing relief for families displaced by Eaton Fire |
A coalition of community groups came together to present a plan to prevent a worsening housing crisis in Altadena due to the Eaton Fire, and they want SoCal Edison to pay for it.
The coalition, led by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, the Eaton Fire Collaborative Leadership Council, the Clergy Community Coalition and the Altadena Town Council, unveiled a housing relief proposal on Tuesday (12/16) morning. In a joint media release, the groups said the plan is aimed at “stabilizing families so that the Eaton Fire recovery can proceed.”
A separate release issued by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network cited research that indicated eight in ten Eaton Fire families remain displaced 11 months after the fire.
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Mortgage and Rebuild Assistance for Bank of America Customers |
On Nov. 21, Bank of America announced new offerings to help mortgage clients rebuild their homes. Called the Bank of America Rebuild Solution, there are three distinct features:
- Extends forbearance by up to two additional years, beyond the current 12-month forbearance period, for clients who plan to rebuild their homes;
- Offers a Rebuild Line of Credit to help cover rebuilding costs not fully covered by insurance (expected to become available in February 2026); and
- Preserves the lower interest rate on the underlying mortgage.
The wildfires in the Southern California cities of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades destroyed an estimated 13,000 residential properties. Given BofA’s 110-year history in Los Angeles and leading market share, about half of those survivors have a financial relationship with Bank of America.
“These are exactly the types of solutions that fire survivors need as we assess our ability to rebuild or not. I commend Bank of America for listening to our needs and working with impacted homeowners and communities to develop resources like these,” said Joy Chen, executive director, Eaton Fire Survivors Network.
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Los Angeles County Opens Investigation into State Farm’s Handling of Wildfire Claims |
Los Angeles County announced that County Counsel has launched an investigation into State Farm’s handling of insurance claims filed by policyholders affected by the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires. The investigation focuses on potential violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and follows growing complaints from residents about delays, underpayments, and denials of legitimate wildfire claims. County Counsel has formally notified State Farm that if it is engaging in any unlawful or unfair business practices, the company must immediately stop such conduct and come into full compliance with state laws and regulations. Click to read the County Counsel release. |
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One-Year Mortgage Relief Now Available for Fire Survivors |
Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 238 into law—an urgency measure that takes effect immediately—providing up to one year of mortgage relief for victims of the January 7 firestorms.
Under the new law, borrowers can PAUSE mortgage payments for up to 12 months with no late fees or penalties simply by attesting (without documentation) that the fires caused financial hardship.
How to Apply:
- Contact your mortgage servicer (the company listed on your mortgage statement).
- Submit a written request for forbearance under AB 238, stating that you’re experiencing financial hardship due to the wildfire disaster.
- Your servicer must respond within 10 business days. If approved, you’ll receive a payment pause—renewable in 90-day increments—up to 12 months.
- Servicers may not charge late fees, report delinquency, or initiate foreclosure during this period.
For help or questions, the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) will be posting guidance and a helpline for borrowers. Updates will appear here: 🔗 https://dfpi.ca.gov/
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From LAist: Help Shape the Stories We Tell about LA |
LAist, a local nonprofit newsroom, is looking for feedback from community members like you to shape its coverage. What are the issues that keep you up at night? What are you optimistic about? If you want to tell them what's on your mind, fill out this survey.
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Request a FREE Tree Assessment from Altadena Green |
Thanks to an Edwards Jones/ Arbor Day Grant, Altadean Green is able to offer free tree assessments to Altadena residents! To request this service, scan the QR code or fill out this form. |
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Free Tree-Watering Assistance for Fire-Impacted Altadena/Pasadena Properties |
Amigos de Los Rios, the Altadena-based nonprofit best known locally for the redux of Triangle Park, is offering *FREE* tree-watering assistance for properties impacted by the Eaton fire. We understand *exactly* how important trees are to our community - and we *want* to help *you*! All you need to do to have your trees watered is to fill out and submit the form. It's really *that* simple!
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Reach Out World Wide (ROWW) Announces Next Phase of Relief |
Reach Out WorldWide has received funding through the American Red Cross 2025 California Wildfire Long-Term Recovery Program.
The grant will support ROWW’s long-term wildfire recovery efforts, including broader community outreach and referrals, household needs assessments, and targeted distributions of furniture, appliances, clothing, and more.
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Pasadena Community Foundation and YMCA Announce New Eaton Fire Affordable Housing Initiative |
Beacon Housing, in collaboration with Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) and YMCA of the Foothills, announced a new initiative to provide stable, affordable homes for low-income survivors of the Eaton Fire. Through a construction grant from PCF, Beacon Housing will add three new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) at its Garfield Agape Court property in Northwest Pasadena. During initial leasing, these units will be prioritized for low-income households displaced by the Eaton Fire.
Construction is slated to begin in October, with anticipated completion before the year ends. Interested households can submit a waitlist application through Beacon Housing’s website at beaconhousing.org/enquiry-form/.
If you were impacted by the Eaton Fire, please complete the form specifically for Eaton Fire impacted households. |
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GER3 Offering Gravel Vouchers to Aid in Creation of Defensible Space Around Homes |
Global Emergency Relief, Recovery & Reconstruction (GER³) is offering gravel vouchers to eligible residents of Altadena to aid in the creation of defensible space around their home.
The number one factor in protecting your home against wildfire is creating five feet of defensible space around the perimeter, or "Zone 0". All combustible material must be cleared within this zone and replaced with hardscape (gravel).
If approved, GER3 will provide gravel to homeowners who can show they have cleared Zone 0. To qualify, homeowners must remove: weeds, bark or mulch, artificial turf, all vegetation, wood or plastic edging, wood fences and gates, moveable items (including potted plants).
*Trees within Zone 0 must be removed. Trees surrounding Zone 0 must be trimmed back at least five feet from roof/house.
Our program provides gravel vouchers to you after you have cleared your defensible space of vegetation or combustible material, but if you need assistance, please indicate so on the registration. We’re accepting homeowner registrations until January 31, 2026. If you or one of your neighbors may be interested, please fill out this registration form. |
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Your Skills Can Bring Our Neighbors Home Again |
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is seeking retired builders, contractors, and skilled tradespeople who can volunteer their time and expertise to support the home rebuilds now underway. We are seeking individuals who can commit to consistent days and times to assist families in returning home.
We Need Skilled Volunteers With Experience In:
- Carpentry & framing
- General construction
- Home repairs & finishes
- Site support and volunteer guidance
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HPP Cares: Rebuild Case Management
Helping Survivors Return Home |
Whether you are uninsured, underinsured, or fully funded/insured, HPP Cares Rebuild Case Managers help guide you every step of the way. The program is free and designed to help you create a clear plan to return home safely. Explore ALL options to rebuild.
Services include: multilingual support, in-person guidance, and phone & virtual assistance available.
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Immigration Resources from National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) & CHIRLA |
Immigration Assistance Referral Line
888-624-4752
Legal Assistance
213-201-3797
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AlterCareLine: A Safe Space for Healing
Thursdays, 5:30pm on Zoom |
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AlterCareLine Queer Support Group
Fridays • 5:30-6:30pm
The Core Hub Recovery Center, 2333 Lake Avenue, Suite 2A, Altadena |
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ONEGeneration: Healing after the Fires Support Group
Every 3rd Thursday of the Month (begins Jan. 15, 2026) • 10-11:30am
Virtual on Zoom |
Support Group for Older Adults & Caregivers Impacted by the Eaton and Pacific Palisades Fire. For more information and to register, call 818-705-2345 x.939.
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Altadena Historical Society Reissues
Altadena Between Wilderness & City |
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Altadena Meals on Wheels (AMOW) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven community
program delivering hot meals to housebound residents right here in our town. Are you facing mobility challenges, recovering from illness, or simply need an extra helping hand? Altadena Meals on Wheels is here for you!
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We Out Here Altadena
Wednesdays (including Dec. 24 & Dec. 31) • 12-3pm
FairOaks Burger, 2560 N Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena |
PROOF OF ALTADENA RESIDENCY REQUIRED! MUST HAVE PHOTO ID. BRING OWN BAG.
Free farmers' market, free vegan hot meals, free groceries, free hygiene products, free thrift store popup, free love & prayers, free legal advice, and more.
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