To bring aid to those affected by the Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger recently trumpeted the start of a new rebuilding initiative, this collaborative effort links The Foothill Catalog Foundation's repository of ready-to-go home designs with the construction prowess of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, aiming to streamline the rebuilding process for families who lost their homes in the blaze. Kathryn Barger shared her thoughts on the collaboration's deeper meaning, saying, “Altadena’s recovery is about restoring the sense of belonging and hope for a community that has endured unimaginable loss–and that is on full display today,” during the event announcement.
Expanding on the initiative's benefits, Alex Athenson of The Foothill Catalog Foundation noted that their designs go beyond mere construction plans, they are "tools for healing, rooted in community character and compassion," in a sentiment captured by Kathryn Barger's publication; additionally, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity's CEO Bryan Wong pointed to the action-oriented nature of this project, emphasizing their readiness to begin reconstruction immediately and expressing honor in being able to assist families in reclaiming their lives.
The sense of resurgence was tangible at the press event held on the location of one of the first homes to be rebuilt, where Kenneth Wood, an 85-year-old Eaton Fire survivor, expressed unexpected hope despite the adversity he faced, "At my age, I never thought I’d be starting over," he told those assembled at the event, recounting his journey and its unexpected turn toward hope as reported by Kathryn Barger.
A highlight of the press conference was the showcase of a scale model for Mr. Wood’s future home, complemented by a floorplan display along with several of The Foothill Catalog Foundation’s pre-approved designs crafted on Autodesk’s Design and Make platform, offering a glimpse into the structural and community resurgence envisioned through this initiative, bolstered by Los Angeles County’s Altadena One-Stop Permitting Center simplified permitting path and Habitat for Humanity’s affordable home construction expertise, a combination presenting a beacon of pragmatic hope for families eager to restore their lives in the aftermath of the fire.
