Three generations of the Wood family stand on their cleared lot, hopeful to rebuild through SGV Habitat’s program funded by the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (Photo – PCF)
In a major step toward long-term recovery following the devastating Eaton Fire, the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF), an initiative of the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF), has awarded its first grant: a record-setting $4.55 million to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat).
By News Desk
This grant, the largest ever distributed from a PCF fund, will support the rebuilding of 22 homes in West Altadena over the next three years. The homes will be allocated to low-income, underinsured, and uninsured homeowners who lost their residences in the fire. Many applicants are senior citizens, averaging 72 years old, who have lived in Altadena for decades and often represent multigenerational households or individuals on fixed incomes.
“Pasadena Community Foundation and its supporting organization Altadena Builds Back Foundation believe that recovery must begin with, and be led by, our community,” said Candice Kim, ABBF Project Director. “This inaugural grant is a powerful first step for ABBF. It embodies our deep, decades-long commitment to Altadena and our trust in SGV Habitat to deliver community-rooted solutions.”
Following extensive outreach, SGV Habitat identified a significant funding gap that left many survivors unable to rebuild. This grant will enable the organization to provide comprehensive case management and financial assistance, helping families rebuild without taking on new debt.
“Due to our diligent efforts, we received the first rebuilding permit in Altadena earlier this year,” said Bryan Wong, CEO of SGV Habitat. “Now with the first grant from the Altadena Builds Back Foundation, we can provide hope to 22 households over the next three years.”
SGV Habitat has also partnered with Los Angeles County and Foothill Catalog to submit pre-approved designs for homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), aiming to streamline and expedite the construction process.
“This is not just about rebuilding homes—it’s about restoring hope, stability, and a future,” added Wong. “These homes represented generations of resilience and legacy. With this support, families can begin to rebuild more than walls, they can rebuild lives.”
The three-year rebuilding initiative stands as a model for community-led disaster recovery, showcasing the strength of local partnerships and the power of long-term vision in restoring neighborhoods and lives.
Leave a Reply