“Altadena Not for Sale” Rally, January 2025 (File Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) has introduced two key pieces of legislation aimed at protecting communities from predatory land grabs and providing crucial support for rebuilding neighborhoods devastated by recent wildfires in Los Angeles County.
By News Desk
The bills, SB 782 and SB 658, are focused on addressing the needs of areas severely impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires, which destroyed over 16,000 structures and caused significant damage to another 2,000.
SB 782 would establish a special financing district to accelerate recovery efforts through community-based funding. Modeled after Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs), the proposal would use a portion of future tax revenues to finance the rebuilding of public infrastructure and promote economic recovery. The aim is to ensure that local communities receive the resources needed for fast and effective recovery while maintaining stability and equitable development.
“We need bold legislation that keeps properties within the community rather than in the hands of outside investors who may not prioritize local needs,” said Senator Pérez. “Speculators are already looking to exploit vulnerable residents with low-ball offers, taking advantage of fire victims in their moment of distress. These proposals ensure that local communities affected by disasters have a stronger stake in their recovery.”
SB 658, on the other hand, focuses on protecting housing and commercial properties within the fire-affected areas. The bill grants public agencies and mission-driven nonprofit organizations, including community land trusts, the first right of purchase if property owners in the impacted areas decide to sell their properties. This provision ensures that local organizations connected to the community can negotiate fair deals and, if necessary, match any future market offers to prevent outside investors from taking control of these vital properties.
Doug Smith, Vice President of Policy and Legal Strategy at Inclusive Action for the City, voiced support for SB 658, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rich cultural history of these communities. “We can’t let one disaster produce another,” Smith said. “By providing community organizations with a first opportunity to purchase properties in impacted areas, SB 658 will keep land in community hands and help advance a just recovery.”
Both SB 782 and SB 658 seek to mitigate the damage caused by the fires while ensuring that long-term recovery efforts are guided by the needs of the communities themselves. The bills represent a significant step toward rebuilding areas that have been scarred not only by the fires but also by the threat of displacement and rising property speculation.
The Eaton and Palisades Fires destroyed more than 16,000 structures including homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. An additional 2,000 structures sustained fire damage.
“The road to recovery demands exploring every possible avenue to ensure communities have the resources needed to recover and thrive once again,” concluded Senator Pérez.
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