Supporters of legislation aimed at shaping Altadena’s recovery from the Eaton Fire will gather Monday to rally behind a bill they say would help protect fire survivors while preserving opportunities for affordable housing.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, community leaders, affordable housing advocates, tenant organizations, community land trusts and fire survivors are expected to attend a news conference Monday at a fire-damaged residential property on East Las Flores Drive.
The event is intended to build support for Senate Bill 1090, authored by state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, D-Pasadena, before the measure is heard Wednesday by the Assembly Housing Committee and the Assembly Local Government Committee.
“I’m proud to sponsor this legislation and stand alongside Senator Sasha Renée Pérez in advancing this critical effort,” Barger said in a statement.
“This grassroots movement, led by fire survivors themselves, has brought much-needed attention to the threat of disaster-driven displacement and the challenges families face in returning home. This legislation is an important step toward protecting Altadena’s residents and preserving the community they know and love.”
Supporters said the measure, dubbed the “Keep Altadena Land in Altadena Hands” act, was amended following discussions among neighborhood groups, affordable housing advocates, tenant organizations and community land trusts.
According to supporters, the legislation would create a temporary framework for rebuilding communities devastated by disasters while protecting opportunities for affordable and accessible housing.
Representatives from the Altadena Town Council, Altadena Recovery Watch, Beautiful Altadena, Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Tenants Union, the Altadena Community Land Trust, Greenline Housing Foundation, Altadena West of Lake and the Eaton Fire Collaborative were expected to participate.
Supporters plan to travel to Sacramento on Wednesday to testify before legislative committees considering the bill.
Backers of the measure argue California’s housing laws were designed to address long-term housing shortages and were not intended to govern rebuilding after a catastrophic disaster. They contend SB 1090 would give fire survivors greater opportunities to rebuild while maintaining pathways for affordable housing.
The January 2025 Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, killed 19 people and destroyed nearly 7,000 homes and businesses.