“Forever Dena” (Photo – deptofangels)
A coalition of civic leaders, fire survivors, and faith-based organizations is calling out Southern California Edison (SCE) for its failure to provide adequate housing support to those displaced by the Eaton Fire.
By News Desk
As families continue to struggle with housing instability, the coalition urges Edison to take responsibility for its role in the disaster and act swiftly to assist survivors.
Displacement Crisis: The Majority of Families Remain Homeless
A recent report from the Department of Angels reveals that 80% of Eaton Fire survivors remain displaced, with many families exhausting their housing funds. The coalition, comprising the Eaton Fire Survivors Network (EFSN), the Eaton Fire Collaborative Leadership Council, and the Altadena Town Council, represents over 40,000 residents of Altadena, the hardest-hit community.
“We cannot move forward with recovery while we don’t even know where we will sleep next month,” said Joy Chen, Executive Director of EFSN. “Southern California Edison must step up and take immediate action to ensure survivors are housed until they can return to their homes. It’s not just a legal responsibility; it’s a moral one.”
Edison’s Profits, Community Struggles
Despite public outcry and investigations into Edison’s handling of the fire, the company has not provided housing assistance to survivors. Edison has been allowed to pass the cost of settlements to ratepayers, while its financial outlook has improved. In October 2025, rate hikes were approved, expected to generate nearly $1 billion annually for Edison.
“Edison is profiting while the community it harmed is falling apart,” said Andrew Wessels, Strategy Director for EFSN. “We have a situation where the company can afford to provide relief, but instead, survivors are left scrambling for housing.”
Skyrocketing Rents: A Crisis Within a Crisis
Before the fire, Altadena was known for its relatively affordable housing, with average rents around $1,800 per month. Now, with thousands of homes destroyed and a shrinking housing market, rents have skyrocketed to $4,000 to $6,000 per month, prices unaffordable for most displaced families.
The Eaton Fire Collaborative Housing Impact Survey found that more than one in three families will likely be forced to move again within months, as their remaining housing funds run dry. Lisa Odigie, a survivor and leader within the collaborative, shared the dire situation: “After the fire, rents jumped, and families can’t afford this market. Some are living in cars, others in temporary shelters. It’s unsustainable.”
The Human Toll: Mental Health and Community Fragmentation
The ongoing housing instability is taking a severe toll on survivors’ mental health. According to recent surveys, 73% of survivors report worsened mental health due to the constant uncertainty about their living situations. Long-term displacement is also fraying the fabric of the community, as families move away and local institutions, like schools and churches, lose members.
“This fire didn’t just destroy homes; it destroyed our community,” said Pastor Amara Ononiwu, Director of Eaton Fire Recovery for the Clergy Community Coalition. “Families are being forced to leave, and that’s unraveling everything we rely on—schools, congregations, support networks.”
Calls for Immediate Action
With recovery efforts stalled, the coalition is calling on Edison to provide temporary housing support immediately, using funds it already has access to. The group insists that housing relief must be separate from the legal settlement process, arguing that survivors should not be forced to waive their rights just to secure a safe place to live.
California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez has joined the call, stating, “Edison must act now to provide emergency housing relief, separate from the long-term compensation process. These survivors need shelter, not more delays.”
A Path Forward: Community Leaders Demand Accountability
The coalition’s message is clear: housing relief must be a priority, and Edison must take responsibility for the displacement it caused. Kim Yu, a survivor and member of the Altadena Town Council, summed up the situation: “We need immediate housing support to keep our community intact. Without it, recovery is impossible.”
The coalition is urging residents and organizations across Los Angeles to join their cause by visiting edisonrelief.org and demanding that Edison fulfill its obligation to provide housing for displaced families.
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