Almost a year after the Eaton and Palisades fires devastated parts of Los Angeles, more than seven in ten displaced residents have still not returned home, according to a report by the non-profit Department of Angels. The fires destroyed over 16,000 structures, forcing tens of thousands to flee, with many now living in temporary housing in other cities or even countries.
Esmeralda Rodas, 64, was given her Altadena home as a birthday gift from her husband Hector in 1989. Today, she sits on the ground where her front door once stood, haunted by memories. The family now lives in a small house in Glendale owned by an aunt. 'It’s not mine,' says Hector, 67. 'It’s not what I worked for.'
The report found that among those planning to rebuild, only one in seven have started construction. Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, warns that many are transitioning from being displaced to being homeless as policy benefits for temporary housing near expiration. 'It’s a very precarious situation,' she says.
Barriers include rising rents, delayed permits, and battles with insurance companies over claims. Claire Thompson, 37, and her husband Tim Szwarc, 40, are fighting State Farm for remediation of their home in Altadena, which tests show contains high levels of toxins. Thompson keeps meticulous records of every email and report. 'This is what recovery looks like,' she says.
Many survivors describe longing for lost community bonds—unlocked doors, neighbourly cake bake-offs, and streets that felt like extended family. For the Rodas family, the year has felt listless. 'When everything was gone, it was hard. So hard,' Esmeralda says, as she visits the empty lot where her castle once stood.
