The holidays can feel especially complicated after disaster and loss. Traditions may not feel the same, and everyday reminders can stir up grief, worry, or exhaustion. This season, remember that there is no “right” way to get through it, only the way that works best for you.
Ways to care for yourself this season:
Set boundaries. It’s okay to say yes to what feels supportive and no to what feels overwhelming.
Choose what matters most. Traditions can be reshaped, skipped, or reinvented to fit your current needs.
Allow a full range of emotions. Laughter, sadness, relief, and frustration can all exist side by side.
Stay connected. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or support groups who understand what you’ve been through.
Make room for rest. Quiet time, mediation. prayer, or simply pausing can restore energy.
Ask for help. Lean on community resources, neighbors, or professionals. You don’t have to carry this alone.
However the season unfolds, give yourself grace. Healing doesn’t follow a calendar, and taking small steps forward is more than enough.
You are not alone. Support is here:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 24/7, call or text
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: (424) 362-2935
California Youth Crisis Line: 24/7, call or text (800) 843-5200
Línea de Texto de Crisis: Envía un mensaje de texto con la palabra
AYUDA al: 741741. También puedes utilizar WhatsApp enviando un
mensaje al: 442-AYUDAME
Additionally, take a look at this toolkit from Project Hope which was created to help you regulate stress in real time - especially in high-pressure moments like heavy traffic, long days, or emotional overwhelm.
Each tool in this guide is grounded in nervous system science and designed to fit in your pocket, your glove compartment, or your daily routine. Think of it as your go-to “calm companion” as you navigate the arc of recovery...however long that may be.
Breathe. Pause. Reset.
12 Days of Comfort and Joy
Our Wellness Committee has compiled all the holiday events hosted by our partner organizations into one easy-to-access flyer. It highlights opportunities for community connection, support, and celebration throughout the season.
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.
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