An aerial view of rebuilding in Altadena (Photo – Irfan Khan)
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger has announced the creation of the Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District, a step forward in rebuilding the Altadena community following the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year.
By News Desk
Supervisor Barger, who spearheaded the initiative from its inception, secured the Board’s approval today to establish the new district. The district will provide a dedicated, long-term source of funding to restore critical infrastructure and strengthen the area’s resilience against future disasters.
“I’m proud to have championed this District as a tool to accelerate Altadena’s recovery,” said Barger. “Our residents have endured unimaginable loss. This new District ensures that we have a focused, sustainable way to fund the infrastructure improvements needed to help families, businesses, and neighborhoods rebuild stronger and safer than before.”
The district was created under Senate Bill 782 (Perez), recently enacted state legislation sponsored by Los Angeles County to help communities recover more quickly after disasters. Under this framework, the County will redirect future property tax revenues from the Altadena area back into the district to finance rebuilding projects that directly benefit local residents.
Funding will support a wide range of recovery efforts, including the restoration of roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, streetlights, and storm drains damaged in the fire. Additional programs will focus on septic-to-sewer conversions and electric utility connections for newly undergrounded power infrastructure.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the district will also prioritize affordable housing, small business recovery, and job training to help residents regain stability. It will fund the rebuilding of County facilities affected by the fire, including the Altadena Senior Center, County parks, and Eaton Canyon.
“The Eaton Fire left deep scars on the Altadena community,” Barger said. “This innovative financing approach turns local tax growth into local recovery. Every dollar generated in this community will repair what was lost and equip our community with more resilience.”
The district will be governed by a five-member Public Financing Authority, consisting of three members of the Board of Supervisors—including Barger—and two public members appointed by the Board. Once established, the Authority will adopt an Infrastructure Financing Plan outlining priorities and timelines for funding individual projects and programs.
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