Pacific Palisades wildfire survivor Susan Blumenthal has begun rebuilding her home using a zero-percent interest gap loan, marking a critical milestone in recovery efforts following last year's devastating fire.
Blumenthal lost both her home and accessory dwelling unit in the Palisades fire. She qualified for financing through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles' ReBUILD LA program based on income and other criteria, allowing her to rebuild without taking on high-interest debt that could derail her recovery.
"There are so many blessings that come out of horrible situations. One of them is a neighborhood coming together—that's a blessing," Blumenthal said, reflecting on finding hope as her community works to restore what was lost.
The ReBUILD LA initiative prioritizes families least likely to recover without support, including low- and moderate-income households and uninsured or underinsured survivors. The program offers an alternative to conventional high-interest lending for families already facing financial hardship.
While Blumenthal's construction began, Habitat LA and NBCUniversal volunteers worked simultaneously at Casa Gateway, a senior residential community in the Pacific Palisades Highlands. The volunteers focused on landscaping restoration, vegetation clearing and planting to improve safety and strengthen the land for residents who have faced prolonged displacement.
The senior community has been impacted by multiple disasters, including wildfire, flooding and mudslides, leaving residents with limited resources to rebuild. The restoration work aims to improve safety conditions and restore dignity for displaced seniors.
Habitat LA's financing programs help survivors rebuild without accumulating debt that makes recovery impossible. The organization remains committed to supporting wildfire survivors across Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, helping families stabilize, rebuild and return home permanently.
The construction milestone reflects the ongoing recovery in Pacific Palisades and highlights the critical role of long-term, affordable support for wildfire survivors working to rebuild their lives.
Edited by SMDP Staff