Altadena Fire Survivors Push State for $25M CARE Fund as Budget Deadline Nears

A West Altadena property, 2026 (Photo – W.K.)

Survivors of the Eaton Fire, housing advocates, and community leaders gathered Thursday, June 11, in Altadena to urge California state leaders to make an urgent investment in long-term recovery efforts as the state budget deadline approaches.

By News Desk

At the center of the rally was support for the proposed $25 million Community Aid for Rebuilding and Equity (CARE) Fund, introduced by  State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez. Advocates say the measure would fill a critical gap in disaster recovery by providing direct assistance to survivors still struggling to rebuild and remain in their communities.

While California has already funded debris removal, emergency response, and infrastructure recovery, speakers at the event emphasized that there is currently no statewide program aimed at helping residents overcome rebuilding shortfalls or preserving affordable housing. Organizers described the CARE Fund as the missing piece in the recovery process.

Proposed uses for the fund include rebuild-gap grants for homeowners, land-banking initiatives intended to preserve and restore affordable housing, and programs designed to help displaced survivors return to their neighborhoods.

“I believe it does not have to stay this way for the families of Altadena,” said 18-year-old Altadenan Kai Timbadia. “The CARE Fund is a beacon of hope and the path forward for a community that is desperately trying to heal itself.”

Housing service providers working directly with fire-impacted residents warned that tens of thousands of people continue to face major barriers to stable housing. They urged state leaders to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery challenges through targeted disaster assistance.

“State disaster relief is needed immediately. Funding is the biggest barrier to recovery for our fire survivors,” said Denise Bowman.

Advocates framed the coming budget deadline as a critical decision point, saying it represents the final opportunity for state leaders to ensure recovery efforts extend beyond cleanup and infrastructure repair to include long-term housing stability and community preservation.