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Months after the Eaton Fire, hundreds of renters and homeowners in Altadena are still fighting to find safe, stable housing. A new survey from the Eaton Fire Collaborative’s Housing Workgroup shows just how deep the crisis runs—and why our community must act now. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Between May and July 2025, the Housing Workgroup conducted an online survey of 356 respondents, including both renters and homeowners, to understand their current housing situations and needs. The findings are clear: the disaster didn’t end when the flames went out. For many families, the housing emergency is still unfolding.
Who We Heard From: A Snapshot of the Survey
The survey paints a picture of widespread loss and long-term instability:
72% of surveyed renters are still in need of housing. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
45% of surveyed homeowners also report that they are still in need of housing. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
68% of renters and 82% of homeowners experienced a total loss of their home due to the Eaton Fire. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
These numbers underscore what many in Altadena already know firsthand: the road to recovery is long, especially when housing costs are rising faster than support can reach families.
Renters: Deep Losses and Few Affordable Options
Renters were among the hardest hit in this disaster—and they face some of the steepest barriers to rebuilding their lives.
Total Loss and Little Protection
68% of surveyed renters faced a total loss of their home. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
91% of renters reported being uninsured or underinsured before the fire, leaving them with little to no financial cushion. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
With so few renters covered by adequate insurance, families have had to rely on savings, community support, and limited aid—resources that are quickly drying up.
Pre-Fire vs. Post-Fire Affordability
Before the fire:
The average pre-fire rent for surveyed renters was $1,792 per month. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
The average household monthly income of affected renter households was $2,966. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
After the fire:
Renters reported that they can now afford an average post-fire rent of $1,490 per month. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Meanwhile, the average asking price for a 1-bedroom apartment in Altadena is $2,350, and 78% of surveyed renters cannot afford this rent. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Many renters were also in informal or lower-cost housing arrangements before the fire:
32% were renting from a family member, sometimes paying only utilities or very low rent. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Those arrangements are extremely difficult to replace in today’s market, leaving families scrambling for anything remotely comparable.
Homeowners: Underinsurance and Displacement Threaten Long-Term Stability
Homeowners are also facing severe housing stress in the wake of the Eaton Fire.
Ongoing Displacement
45% of surveyed homeowners report that they are still displaced and need housing. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
82% experienced a total loss of their home, while another 18% had damage to their home.
At the same time, they are confronting the realities of rebuilding in an environment where construction costs and materials prices continue to climb. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Underinsurance and the Cost of Rebuilding
The survey highlights widespread gaps in insurance coverage:
34% of homeowners reported being underinsured.
An additional 11% reported being uninsured. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
These gaps create immense uncertainty about whether families will ever be able to rebuild and return home.
Financially:
The average household monthly income for surveyed homeowners is $5,346. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
On average, they report being able to afford post-fire rent of only $1,756 per month. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
Yet the average asking rent for a 1-bedroom in Altadena is $2,350, and 55% of homeowners cannot afford that rent.
Homeowners are caught in a bind: they must juggle the cost of temporary housing while facing uncertain, often insufficient insurance payouts and rising construction costs.
Seniors and Other Vulnerable Households Face Added Barriers
The survey reveals especially serious challenges for senior households:
Households with at least one senior (age 56+) reported a higher rate of being uninsured or underinsured (48%) compared to 45% across all homeowners. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
44% of senior households can only afford to pay less than $1,500 per month in rent, compared to 31% of all homeowners surveyed. EFC-Housing Collab Survey Report
These figures show that seniors—along with other vulnerable groups such as low-income renters and mixed-status families—face compounding barriers when trying to secure safe and stable housing after the fire.
How You Can Help
If you’re a community member, local leader, funder, or policymaker, you have a role to play:
Support policies and funding that expand rental assistance, vouchers, and affordable housing options in Altadena.
Partner with community organizations like the Eaton Fire Collaborative to align efforts and avoid duplicating services.
Amplify the data from this survey so decision makers understand the scale of need and act with urgency.
The Eaton Fire may be contained, but the housing crisis it sparked is still burning through the lives of renters and homeowners. With coordinated, community-driven action, we can help families move from displacement to long-term stability—while preserving the vibrant, resilient community that makes Altadena home.
Download the full report here.