2026 07 26 Newsletter from Altagether

AltaGether Neighborhood Newletter
1

Neighborhood Captain Newsletter

For Neighbors, by Neighborhood Captains

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Next Issue: August 6th • Content Deadline: Tuesday, August 4th

Send 50 words or less to newsletter@altagether.org

Recovery Updates

UPDATES ON SB9, SB1123, and SB1090
At a Wednesday meeting at the Collaboratory, members of Altadena Recovery Watch and other local community groups proposed dropping SB9 from the proposed moratorium bill SB1090. They argued that with SB9 in the bill, it has a higher chance of failing, while narrowing the moratorium solely to SB1123 increases the bill’s chances of passing—securing a multi-year pause on SB1123 developments. This would leave SB 9 untouched and intact. To date there are 49 SB9 projects which have been approved with 153 instances of “SB9” on currently active applications. By contrast LA County is voiding all SB1123 applications for failing to meet the law’s 75% surrounding-development requirement, and no applications are currently approved.**

LA COUNTY APPROVES $1M SOIL REMEDIATION PROGRAM**
According to an official release from Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s L.A. County Office L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $1 million to remediate lead-contaminated soil, joining $2 million in state funding to create a $3 million program managed by LACDA for standing homes in Altadena affected by the Eaton Fire, prioritizing families with pregnant women and young children.
**
PASADENA REPEALS BAN ON DENSER REBUILDING**
At its July 20 meeting, the Pasadena City Council voted unanimously to advance repealing interim bans on SB9 housing applications within the Eaton Fire burn zone.The decision reopens parcels in the high fire hazard zone to urban lot splits and multi-family reconstruction in Pasadena.
**
ALTADENA PARKS FACE $240M RECOVERY WITH ZERO FEMA AID**
Nineteen months post-fire, Los Angeles County officials revealed that Altadena’s public parks have received no federal FEMA dollars toward what is now estimated to be a $240 million recovery effort. Watch the full Parks presentation at this week’s Town Council Meeting.

EDISON TOPS $750M IN EATON FIRE RELIEF OFFERS
Ahead of the November 30, 2026 deadline, Southern California Edison has offered $743 million and paid out $314 million in Eaton Fire relief—promising fast 35-day payouts—even as advocates warn settlements cover as little as 53% of actual rebuilding costs compared to litigation.

NEWSOM WARNS LENDERS & INSURERS OVER SETTLEMENT FUNDS
On July 14, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a directive warning mortgage lenders and insurance companies that California will actively enforce penalties against institutions delaying or withholding fire recovery payouts and settlement funds.

SENATOR PADILLA TESTIFIES ON FEDERAL “NEGLECT”
In Senate testimony, Sen. Alex Padilla warned that Eaton Fire survivors are being “left behind” after the federal government omitted long-term disaster aid for Altadena from its latest funding proposal

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUPPORT
On July 16, 2026, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity announced it had received a grant from the American Red Cross to expand its long-term recovery and home-rebuilding efforts for displaced families.

WATCH THE JULY 21st TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting focused on an LA County Parks update on fire-damaged park recovery and Eaton Canyon, a council vote supporting trail restoration, an EPA presentation, local public safety reports, and committee updates on land use, renters protection, rebuilding, and infrastructure.

Opportunities & Deadlines

Healthy Neighbors Small Grants Program proposals are due Friday, July 24, 2026. UniHealth Foundation’s new grant program funds nonprofits advancing community health and wellness in Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena. Awards range $5,000–$10,000 (priority to orgs with budgets under $10M); announced November 2026. Apply here

Eaton & Palisades Fires Soil Testing Program will ends July 31, 2026. Residents can still apply for service at USC CLEAN Project. View results on the Eaton/Palisades Post-Fire Dashboard: tinyurl.com/Soil-Testing-Results

Altadena Library Free Notary and Passport Services.

  • Did you know that Altadena Library offers free notary services at two locations? — Tue & Thu 3–5:30pm @ EFC Collaboratory, 540 W. Woodbury; Wed 3–5:30pm @ Bob Lucas Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave. Appointments recommended, walk-ins welcome: (626) 798-0833 ext. 118. Details

  • Passport Services - Ongoing, 7 days/week - Bilingual (English/Spanish) agents process new, lost/damaged, expired, and minor renewal passports. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm by appointment @ Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.; Sat–Sun 9am–5pm by appointment or walk-in @ Bob Lucas Memorial Library, 2659 Lincoln Ave. Closed Fri July 17 & 24 and Sun July 19 & 26. Call (626) 798-2950. Details & checklist

Postfire added 30 spots to their pilot Free Construction Advisor Program: APPLY

LA Rise and Renew Recovery Grant - $5,000 to small businesses impacted by the January 2025 fires.

ALTA Art Fair applications now open for the October 17th event. Deadline: July 25 | APPLY

Weed Abatement & Brush Clearing Assistance

USDA Grants up to $32,420 for California Single Family Housing Disaster Assistance: More Info

Park on the Move - Mobile Recreation Van

FREE Mobile Recreation brings sports, wellness, fitness, arts & crafts, ESTEAM, games, and more directly to Altadena families impacted by the Eaton Fire. For more information contact: MobileRecreation@Parks.lacounty.gov or call: 626-977-8432.

SoCal Edison Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program | DEADLINE November 30, 2026

Events

Writers Workshop - Telling a Story | Register

  • Friday, July 24 @ 1 - 3pm @ 236 W. Mountain St, #113, Pasadena, CA 91103

Press Conference for Dear Newsom Campaign | More Info

Hosted by Every Fire Survivors Network, including a postcard writing party

  • Friday, July 24 @ 8:30 - 11:30 am @ 540 W Woodbury Rd

Rebuilding Together: Working With Licensed Contractors | Register via Zoom
Join L.A. County and state consumer protection agencies for a virtual workshop and Q&A on how to safely hire and work with licensed contractors for your rebuilding project.

  • Fri, July 24 @ 1:00–3:00 PM @ via Zoom

Maker Space | Register

Bring your crafts for a crafting session

  • Saturday, July 25 @ 9:30 am to 12:30 pm @ 540 W Woodbury

Free Ingredients for Healing: A Wellness Tasting & Learning Afternoon | RSVP required

Join the Altadena Farmers’ Market & Wellness Committee for an afternoon of nourishment with seasonal tastings, mini wellness demos, fire-recovery nutrition talks, and simple recipe cards to take home.

  • Saturday, July 25 @ 4 - 5:30pm @ 540 W Woodbury

29th Annual Summer Concert Series at Loma Alta Park

Join the Rotary Club of Altadena and LA County Parks & Recreation for the kick-off concert with Cassie B presenting “Dream Like Taylor.” Series lineup.

  • Saturdays @ 7 pm @ Loma Alta Park (Las Chikas on July 25)

Wildfire Consumer Legal Clinic by BET TZEDEK | RSVP required

  • Tuesday, July 28 @ 1:30 - 5 pm 2049 Century Park East Suite 4320, Los Angeles

Shaping Accountability: A Community Engagement Session

Hosted by Altadena For Accountability, come learn about the Attorney General Rob Bonta’s civil rights investigation into emergency response during the Eaton Fire.

  • Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 5-9pm | Register for dinner ticket and event location

Altadena Business Resource Fair

Connect Eaton Fire–Affected Businesses With Recovery Aid

  • Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 12 - 4 pm @ Altadena Community Center

An Evening of Hope and Homecoming in Altadena: Film premiere of Reclaiming Home: Black Altadena Rebuilds

Enjoy an evening of film, local vendors, community resources, film, music, and conversation as we honor the history, future, and resilience of Altadena

  • July 30, Lower Loma Alta Park

  • 6pm vendors and activities, 7pm film and panel discussion

  • Bring a blank or folding chairs

Community Address from Congresswoman Judy Chu | Register

Legislative and Government Affairs 2026 Speaker Series hosted by Altadena Chamber of Commerce

  • Friday July 31 @ 9 - 10:30 am @ Maxwell House 55 S. Grand Ave, Pasadena

Sound Bath | Register

A gentle, guided sound experience, open to all Eaton Fire-impacted community members and supporters/providers for those impacted.

  • Friday, July 31 @ 6 - 8pm @ 540 W. Woodbury

NHS Rebuilding and Recovery Workshop | Register

Hosted by Neighborhood Housing Services and Restory the Legacy LA Coalition. Get help to take the next steps to your rebuilding and recovery process. Resources available for financial counseling, grants, interim housing, hiring an architect or general contractor, and estate planning

  • Saturday, August 1 @ 10am - 1pm @ First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena

Surveys

Complete CONSORTIUM’s brief survey on the costs of excavation-based soil remediation and capping

The Climate Mental Health Network and the University of Illinois are seeking wildfire-impacted parents, educators, and students (ages 14-17) for a virtual focus group on recovery and emotional wellbeing. Participants receive a $50 gift card.

Mapping Resident Perceptions of Community Change in Aftermath of Eaton Wildfire: How social capital fuels recovery, a study from a Northeastern University student. 5-minute qualifying survey. If eligible, 30-minute interview.

Community & Financial Resources

Greenline Housing Foundation is offering up to $250,000 per family in construction support to help fire-impacted families rebuild and remain in Altadena. More information here

FEMA Extension
FEMA officially extended financial and housing assistance under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Contact: 800-621-3362 or apply at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Homeowners: Direct housing assistance has been extended through July 9, 2027

  • Renters: Direct assistance has been extended through October 9, 2026

Log into buildnotes.la for an evolving list of resilient materials aligned with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, The Resiliency Company, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, and the Foothill Catalog.

LA County’s Recover Local Buy A Gift Card And Get A 50% Bonus Gift Card For Free!

The Step Up Fund is giving $2,500 to fire survivors who face eviction.

Union Station Housing Assistance helps Eaton Fire survivors covering security deposits, rent, motel vouchers, and essential furnishings.

Free Wellbeing Support Available for Residents Impacted by Wildfires: Individual and family counseling, support groups, wellness activities, and case management. From the LA County Department of Mental Health.

  • Monday-Friday, 9-6 pm @ The Collaboratory

6 free mental health support sessions from Didi Hirsch for anyone impacted by the fires.

The CalAssist Mortgage Fund Reopened and provides up to $100,000 in non-repayable mortgage assistance, covering up to 12 months of payments. Income limits are now up to $281,400 in LA County.

Disaster Case Management provides household support and is available through multiple organizations:

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

In-Person Locations & Resources

24LA

  • No-cost “shopping”, recovery resources, and town beautification projects. See website for appointment and volunteering opportunities.

  • 5760 West Jefferson, Los Angeles

Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Collaboratory

The HUB Rebuilding Altadena CORE

First Time Visitors: Schedule Appointment

  • Suite 2A, 2333 Lake Ave

    • Wed-Thurs @ 11-6 pm | Fri-Sat @ 10-3 pm

  • Drop-in office hours:

  • Foothill Catalog: Wednesdays @ 2-4 pm

  • Collective O/R: Wednesdays @ 2:30-5 pm

  • Neighborhood Legal Services LA County Clinics: 2nd and 4th Thursdays @ 12:30-4 pm

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

SCE Altadena Rebuild Community Hub (ARCH)
Support for customers with billing inquiries, planning inquiries (i.e. service reconnections, undergrounding, temporary power poles and panel), and other SCE programs and services.

  • Monday-Friday, 8-4:30 pm

  • 2680 Fair Oaks Ave.