Subject: Neighborhood Captain Newsletter 
March 19, 2026
Neighborhood Captain Newsletter
For Neighbors, by Neighborhood Captains
Thursday, March 19, 2025
Next Issue: April 2 • Content Deadline: March 31
Send 50 words or less to newsletter@altagether.org
Recovery Updates
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MILESTONE ALERT! This week Regional Planning is expected to approve new zoning applications for over half of the structures destroyed in the Eaton fire, an incredible accomplishment and sign of resilience! To date, 1,978 building permits have been issued and 26 homes have been rebuilt in and around Altadena, according to Los Angeles County’s permitting progress dashboard.
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LA County Capital Improvement Plan: Help prioritize the next decade of funding for Altadena’s roads, water systems, and flood control.
- Kickoff Zoom: April 8 @ 6 pm – Register
- Take the Survey
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Watch the Altadena Town Council meeting from March 17, including discussion of the county’s consideration of RV street parking permits, and a presentation by SCE followed by public comment.
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Protect yourself against fraud by signing up for the LA County Enhanced Homeowners Notification Program, which sends you copies of documents recorded against your home. This gives you a chance to review the real estate documents to be sure they are legitimate. It also gives you your best chance to save your home from foreclosure.
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LA County Post-Fire Environmental Dashboard: New environmental assessment results available from CAP.LA, EFRU, and CSUN.
- Scroll through results monitoring surface soils, coastal sand, and ash in wildfire-affected regions to assess the extent of contamination and potential exposure, which can inform comparisons to benchmarks and guide public health recommendations.
- LA County Department of Public Health results show that of the 1,321 soil lead samples from Altadena, 55% were less than 80 ppm (Calfironia soil lead screening level), 37% were 81-200ppm (federal guidance threshold), 8% were 201-1000ppm, and 1 sample was greater than 1000ppm (hazardous waste threshold).
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Tax season is coming up! Watch EFSN’s webinars on preparing your taxes. Always consult your tax professional about any information received.
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Explore interactive maps of rebuilding with the LA County immersive GIS visualizations
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LA County passed a motion to accept $5 million in state CalHome Program funds to support eligible households to receive down payment assistance of up to $200,000 or 40% of the purchase price.
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Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is sponsoring three pieces of legislation aimed at stabilizing the insurance market and providing relief to homeowners following the 2025 wildfires. Click to generate letters to your representatives:
- AB 1680 (Make It FAIR Act)
- SB 876 (Disaster Recovery Reform Act)
- AB 1795 (Smoke Damage Recovery Act)
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EFRU has partnered with Assemblymember Harabedian on AB 1642, an indoor testing bill that would establish health-based thresholds for indoor contamination and clear, science-driven protocols for post-WUI testing.
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EFRU & LA Standing Homes: EFRU and LA Standing Homes are collecting signatures and policyholder accounts to identify insurer-specific patterns. Letters will be sent to the Los Angeles County Office of the Deputy County Counsel requesting investigations into potential bad-faith claims handling impacting standing homes.
- Sign the letter to Mercury, Farmers, Allstate, Safeco/Liberty Mutual, AAA, CA FAIR Plan
- Sign the letter to Mercury, Farmers, Allstate, Safeco/Liberty Mutual, AAA, CA FAIR Plan
Upcoming Deadlines
Bill & Linda James Scholarship ** DEADLINE March 31, 2026**
ART has developed the Bill and Linda James Scholarship Fund to support young scholars heading off to college or currently pursuing higher education. $1,000 minimum awards.
Helen Morran-Wolf Educational Scholarship ** DEADLINE April 1**
Through Foothill Family, ten students pursuing first-time higher education (Bachelors) or vocational training will receive up to $5,000.
LA County Emergency Rent/Mortgage Relief Program
Round 2 closed on March 11. Complete the Interest Form to receive more information. The portal now allows tenants to initiate the process themselves. Landlords must still complete their sections.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund Reopened and provides up to $100,000 in non-repayable mortgage assistance, covering up to 12 months of payments. Now features higher income limits (up to $281,400 in LA County).
Union Station Housing Assistance
Direct financial aid for Eaton Fire survivors covering security deposits, rent, motel vouchers, and essential furnishings.
The Step Up Fund is giving $2,500 to fire survivors who face eviction.
Pacific Community Ventures’ RESTORE LA Fund for Micro & Small Business Recovery & Climate Resilience is a $3 million fund offering 3%, no-fee loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses who have experienced revenue declines due to the 2025 LA wildfires.
SoCal Edison Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program ** DEADLINE November 30, 2026**
Events
**Bet Tzedek Wildfire Disaster Consumer Clinic ** Register
Free one-on-one consultation with an attorney to protect your rights and receive expert guidance on contractor disputes, mortgages, and consumer legal issues.
- Thursday, March 19 @ 1 pm
- CORE HUB (2333 Lake Ave, Suite 2A)
Panels with local professionals and leaders raising funds for Eaton Fire Survivors Network and Palisades Long Term Recovery Group: public policy, urban design, infrastructure/case studies, community gallery, and hors d’oeuvres.
- Thursday, March 19 @ 4:30-8 pm
- American Institute of Architects (4450 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles)
**Mortgage Forbearance Act: Outcomes review hearing on AB238 ** RSVP
Share your story with members of the California State Assembly.
- Friday, March 20 @ 10 am
- Westerbeck Recital Hall, Pasadena City College
**Clay and Story Workshop with Alma Cielo and Amy Shimshon-Santo ** Register
A hands-on art and storytelling workshop for people impacted by the Eaton Fire
- Saturday, March 21 @ 1-4 pm
- The Hub (2333 Lake Ave, Suite 2A)
**FEMA Appeal Clinic ** Register
Step-by-step guidance on filing an appeal, and information on your rights in the appeal process. The deadline to appeal a FEMA decision is July 9, 2026.
- Tuesday, March 24 @ 3-6 pm
- The Collaboratory
Community Wildfire Protection Ordinance Public Hearing
A public hearing on an LA County ordinance to strengthen development standards within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Hillside Management Areas to reduce risks to life and property.
- Wednesday, March 25 @ 9 am
- 320 West Temple St., Rm. 150, Los Angeles
- Join the Zoom
**Financial Decision Making Clinic ** Request Appointment
United Policyholders and LA Financial Planning Association are offering limited scope pro bono consultations with Certified Financial Planner volunteers – in-person and online, confidential.
- Saturday, March 28 @ 10-2 pm
- The Collaboratory Or Zoom
- Request a 45-minute appointment
**Youth Empowerment Festival for families affected by the Eaton Fire ** Free Tickets
Carnival games, live performances, wellness activities, food, and an Easter egg hunt.
- Saturday, April 4 @ 11-4 pm
- Pasadena City Hall (100 Garfield Ave)
**Altadena Easter Egg Hunt ** RSVP by April 4
Candy, prizes, and fun for kids of all ages.
- Saturday, April 5 @ 2 pm (after church service)
- Altadena Baptist Church Lawn (791 E Calaveras St)
Elegy Writing Workshop
For What Was Lost in the Los Angeles Fires: Free one-day online poetry workshop to memorialize what was lost and process grief through writing. No prior experience necessary.
- Saturday, April 11 @ 10-1 pm
- Zoom
- Contact jdolrayne@gmail.com to RSVP
Weekly Job Recruitment Pop-ups
The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) are hosting weekly recruitment pop-ups for workers and job seekers impacted by the January 2025 wildfires and windstorms.
- Thursdays, 1-4 pm
- Located at All AJCCs in LA County
Community & Financial Support
Case Management
Individual/household support is available and continuously taking on new cases:
- CORE: dcmp@coreresponse.org
- LA County & Catholic Charities of California (FEMA-funded): (833) 775-DCMP (833-775-3267)
The LA County Sheriff’s Department Altadena Station’s Construction Check Program provides free, regular courtesy checks during the rebuilding process. Email altadenahomecheck@lasd.org with your and your contractor’s contact info.
Habitat for Humanity Accelerator Fund: Homeowners can apply for direct grants up to $10,000 for permitting fees, deposits, or remediation.
Free Furniture & Housewares: Families displaced by the fire can receive free home goods and staging services through A Sense of Home. Request Assistance.
Altadena Seed Library continues to give away free jars of native seeds: Fill out this form.
The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program provides immediate hiring and training support for impacted and dislocated workers.
Imagine Preschool Tuition Relief: Financial aid for Eaton Fire victims is available for this Reggio-inspired program in La Crescenta. Apply Now
Sign up for free tree watering support from Amigos de los Rios.
Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW) offers long-term recovery assistance.
DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund: Apply for grants $5-15K
Adopt a Bike: Free bikes for fire survivors from Day One and LA Metro
Submit post-remediation home test results to EFRU’s contamination map.
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is seeking retired builders, contractors, and skilled tradespeople who can volunteer their time and expertise to support home rebuilds: Volunteer Application
Temporary Sandbag Distribution continues through April 15. Call ahead for availability.
Surveys
Standing Homes Permit Fee Waiver Survey: Standing Homes’ short survey is for homeowners whose homes survived the Eaton and Palisades Fires but sustained fire, smoke and/or contamination damage.
How LAist tells the stories about LA
Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Recovery Survey, covering financial challenges, housing, and needs
In-Person Locations & Resources
Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Collaboratory
- Monday-Wednesday: 9-5 pm Thursday: 9-7 pm Friday: 9-1 pm
- Book an Appointment to Visit the Store
Wildfire Survivor Support Centers (FEMA, SBA, LA County departments)
Optional: Schedule an SBA Appointment
- Mon-Fri, 9-4:30 pm @ Altadena Community Center, 730 Altadena Dr.
- Mon-Fri, 9-4:30 pm @ One-Stop Rebuilding Center, 1828 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles
Altadena One-Stop Permit Center
- Mon-Fri, 8-4:30 pm @ 464 W Woodbury Rd. Suite 210
Additional Community Calendars
Eaton Fire Residents United Altadena Town Council Altadena Calendar Altadena Connections
Links
Altadena Library eConnect Altadena Recovery Wiki Altadena Talks Foundation & Podcast Buildnotes.LA CalAssist Mortgage Fund Department of Mental Health Resources Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative Eaton Fire Residents United Eaton Fire Survivors Network LA County Recovers Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Mortgage & Foreclosure Relief NSLSA Disaster Assistance PostFire LA United Policy Holders
Visit Altadena Library’s Curiosity Connection mobile, now touring through town twice a week!
TUESDAYS
Grocery Outlet @ 10-12:30 pm
Fair Oaks Burger @ 3-5:30 pm
THURSDAYS
Triangle Park (Lake & Altadena) @ 10-12:30 pm
Prime Pizza @ 2:30-5 pm
Altagether
2054 Madison Avenue, Altadena
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