January 1, California Fire Victims Still Displaced Months Later

Wyatt’s Take

• Many families hit by the Palisades Fire are still not home.
• Government help is slow and folks may have to move again soon.
• Leaders face tough questions about fire response and recovery.

Most people hurt by the Palisades Fire early this year are still living in temporary places. The Department of Angels found in their survey that over 70% can’t return home just yet.

One report said 75% of Pacific Palisades residents and 67% in Altadena are stuck in temporary housing. Many worry they’ll have to move again in the next few months. Those who lost their homes in Altadena, the Palisades, Pasadena, and Malibu said 22% may move again in six to twelve months, and 9% expect to move in just a few months. For folks with structural or smoke damage, 19% think another move will come soon and 18% think it’ll happen in a year.

One person shared with Fox News that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has special funds for disaster relief.

They explained those dollars could help rebuild, but talks got put on hold because of a government shutdown.

At a Senate hearing, families shared their struggles. Spencer Pratt said, “By the grace of God, my family survived.”

He also said, “My family has not lost our hope, but we did lose our home and everything we own in the Palisades fire,” while wearing a hat that read, “Newsome will never be president.”

Reports say Governor Gavin Newsom has tried shifting focus away from the fire that destroyed 7,000 buildings and took 12 lives in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas alone. Senator Ron Johnson has suggested the Senate may need to subpoena Newsom to explain state and local failures during the Palisades Fire.

If working families don’t get fast, real help, moving on will stay tough for thousands. It’s time politicians put the focus back on regular folks hit hardest.

Wyatt Matters

Neighbors in the heartland know the pain of losing a home and waiting for help that never seems to come quick enough. In times like these, we stick together and hold the powerful to account so no family gets left behind.

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