The Dena Report
Accessibility | Collaboration | Inclusivity | Accuracy
NEW ISSUES EVERY THURSDAY
Issue 02
April 24, 2025
Highlights
Summary (p. 2)
Overview of the week
Virtual Meetings & Resources (p. 3)
100 days town hall and resource libary
Doing Good in the Neighborhood (p. 4)
Habitat for Humanity in our community
Community Updates (p. 5)
What we need to know in the rebuilding process
Events (p. 6)
A calander of events for the week
Funding (p. 7)
Requirements and links to available funding opportunties
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Summary
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Townhall Meetings
Funding
Events
This Week!
This week’s community update centers on recovery, resilience, and action. Insurance support remains a top concern—residents are urged to contact the Department of Insurance if experiencing delays or denials, especially with smoke damage claims. Listening Circles are being held to reflect on the first 72 hours of the Eaton Fire and improve future emergency response—residents are encouraged to join and share their stories. Soil testing has begun after elevated lead levels were found in two Pasadena neighborhoods; residents are advised to test in groups and consult qualified professionals. Parks with exposed soil like Washington and Victory are temporarily closed to protect children, with further testing underway. Free blood lead testing is being offered, including a mobile clinic at Eaton Health Village on April 27. Finally, After the Fire USA released valuable recovery resources, and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity was spotlighted for leading Altadena’s first permitted rebuild, offering affordable home and ADU solutions tailored to the community’s unique character.
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Video
Town Halls and Meetings
Town Hall Summary – Wildfire Insurance Claims & Consumer Support
Purpose:
To answer wildfire survivors’ questions, offer guidance on insurance claims, and outline ongoing reforms to improve consumer protection.
Key Takeaways:
Support for Survivors:
The Department is helping fire survivors with insurance delays, denials, and underpayments. You can contact the department for free claim assistance or to file a complaint at 1-800-927-4357 or insurance.ca.gov.Claims Tips:
Document all communications and agreements with your insurer.
Don’t sign any final settlement unless you’re confident it’s fair.
If adjusters are unresponsive, the Department will intervene.Smoke Damage:
Insurers are required to investigate smoke claims thoroughly. If denied without proper inspection, report it.Rebuilding & Relocation:
Survivors can rebuild elsewhere and still receive full replacement benefits, including code upgrades. Land value cannot be deducted.FAIR Plan:
The FAIR Plan must follow all insurance laws. The Department is reforming it for greater fairness and access.Legislative Reforms in Progress:
Eliminate “The List” Act: Requires insurers to pay 100% of contents coverage after a total loss without needing an itemized inventory.
California Safe Homes Act: Offers grants (up to $10,000) for fire-hardening homes.
Other reforms target deceptive advertising, premium hikes, and fair treatment of small businesses and nonprofits.Next Steps:
More workshops will be offered, especially on smoke claims. Survivors are encouraged to document their claims and reach out early for support.
Need help?
📞 Call: 800-927-4357
💻 Chat/File a Complaint: insurance.ca.gov
Let me know if you'd like this turned into a graphic or formatted for a flyer or email.
Altadena Fire: 100 Days Later – Key Takeaways
Devastation Up Close: Walking the burn areas reveals the full emotional and physical toll. The community remains in the relief phase, not recovery.
Legal Action: Quinn Emanuel is filing individual lawsuits against Southern California Edison to help survivors recover insurance gaps, emotional damages, and rebuilding costs.
Rebuilding Challenges: Many residents, especially Black families, are underinsured. There's concern about losing generational wealth and being priced out. Residents are urged to act like “mini developers.”
Funding Accountability: Millions have been raised, but many survivors haven’t seen direct support. Community leaders demand transparency and equitable distribution.
Environmental & Health Risks: Soil testing is limited in Altadena despite toxic concerns. Advocates highlight disparities compared to wealthier areas like Palisades.
Mental Health & Documentation: Survivors are encouraged to document their losses and health impacts through journals, video diaries, and medical visits.
Calls to Action: Community members must stay engaged, advocate for soil testing, fair rebuild funding, and keep pressure on elected officials. Voter power and consistent presence are critical.
Preserving Legacy: Altadena Historical Society will archive the fire’s impact and community response for future generations.
Wildfire Recovery Resource Guide for Eaton Fire Survivors
Access a comprehensive guide from After the Fire USA to support your recovery journey:
What to Do After a Fire – First 30 days, FEMA and Cal OES info, insurance claim tips
Smoke Damage & Property Restoration – Articles, timelines, expert panels
Homeowner & Renter Help – Flyers, fraud prevention, recovery grant links
Mental Health Support – Community healing, emotional recovery, child & youth support
How to Organize Your Block for Recovery – Tools for community captains
Business & Preparedness Tools – Continuity plan templates, safety certification info
View the full wildfire recovery resource library here:
After the Fire USA – Resource Library
Need support navigating it? Email: info@afterthefireusa.org
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Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Finding Comfort in the Ashes
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Spotlight on: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
When it comes to rebuilding Altadena with care and community at heart, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has set a powerful example. They were the first to receive a rebuild permit for a homeowner in Altadena following the Eaton Fire—paving the way, quite literally, for our neighbors to return home.
Habitat isn't just rebuilding houses. They’re creating thoughtful, affordable opportunities for Altadenans to return to their land through full home rebuilds, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and gap financing for qualifying homeowners. They’ve also launched repair programs and ADU opportunities for residents who may not be ready for a full rebuild, offering faster pathways home and more flexibility for the community.
What truly sets them apart is their commitment to Altadena’s unique charm. By partnering with a design firm to create the The Foothill Catalog, Habitat ensures that new builds and ADUs honor the architectural integrity of our beautiful foothill community. These homes look and feel like Altadena—because they are meant to.
Habitat has also stepped up in big and small ways to support those affected. From gift cards to the ReStore to new mattresses for families, they continue to show up with compassion and action. Their team has prioritized listening first, asking residents what’s needed most and rolling out a plan rooted in those needs—from remediation to rebuilding.
This is what partnership looks like. SGV Habitat for Humanity is not just building homes—they’re helping rebuild hope and community.
To learn more, view their press release and find rebuild resources on their site: sgvhabitat.org
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Community Updates
Insurance Help Is Available
If you are dealing with wildfire insurance issues such as delays, denials, or limited communication:
Call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357
Chat or file a complaint online at insurance.ca.gov
The Insurance Commissioner’s Office is actively advocating for fire survivors. They can help investigate claims, ensure fair treatment, and push back on insurance company practices.
Join a Listening Circle Listening Circles are happening this week and next. These are safe spaces to share what happened during the initial 72 hours of the Eaton Fire. Your experiences can influence how emergency response systems improve in the future.
Flyer and details: Listening Circles PDF
100 Days Since the Eaton Fire
Altadena marks 100 days since the Eaton Fire with major recovery progress. Over 1,220 lots have been cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A new Unified Permitting Authority was established to speed up rebuilding permits, and $50,000 has been allocated to support art-centered fire recovery initiatives. Supervisor Kathryn Barger reaffirmed her commitment to long-term recovery and preserving Altadena’s cultural identity.
Soil Testing and Lead Exposure Update
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) reported that soil testing in two Pasadena neighborhoods found elevated lead levels exceeding the DTSC screening threshold of 80 ppm. Children are particularly vulnerable, and soil testing at sites where children play is being prioritized.
Immediate Actions:
Washington Park and Victory Park baseball infields are closed until further results are available.
Robinson Park, Hamilton Park, and Alice’s Dog Park remain open, but will be tested.
Recommendations for Exposed Areas:
Consult a qualified professional for soil testing and remediation if needed.
Close areas with exposed soil using signs, fencing, or other barriers.
Relocate or suspend youth sports activities on exposed soil.
Ensure accessible handwashing stations and encourage handwashing after outdoor activities.
If You Are Concerned About Lead Exposure:
Ask your doctor for a blood lead test (covered by most insurance plans including Medi-Cal).
Call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to schedule a free test at Quest Labs.
Attend a mobile lead testing event:
Sunday, April 27
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Eaton Health Village / Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist Church
1280 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104
Neighborhood Soil Testing Encouraged
$3 million has been approved for community soil testing. It's recommended that neighbors work together to test entire blocks or areas. Use the Neighborhood Captain system to coordinate efforts. If you haven’t joined your local network, visit altagether.org for information.
Do you have suggestions or resources to share?
Contact us at: hello@thesocialimpact.co
Let’s continue working together to recover, advocate, and build a healthier, safer future for our community.
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Events
Pasadena-based design studio Mounte is hosting an event to assist community members as they navigate the rebuilding process. Hear from their panel of experts Thursday evening at the Eaton Canyon Golf Course.
Come together with the Dena community this week at events like the Ashes to Anthems: Benefit Concert & Resource Fair. Other community-building events include the Altadena Lecture Series and the Jackalope Artisan Fair, where the funds raised will continue to help artisans who recently lost their homes in the January 2025 wildfire.
Remember to stop by Unicorporated Coffee Roasters each Wednesday for their Healthy Food Giveaway in partnership with Altadena Farmer's Market.
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Funding
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
ELIGIBILITY
AMOUNT
DUE DATE
APPLICATION LINK
Altadena Community Preservation Fund
65+ homeowner who experienced a total loss, lived in U.S. Census Tracts 4602, 4603.01, 4603.02 and 4610, and is uninsured or underinsured (homeowners).
$15,000
February 15, 2026
Filipino Migrant Center/National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Aid Application
Essential workers whose workplaces are affected, who lost wages due to evacuation or work closure, or whose homes were impacted directly.
varies
Fuerza Fund
Essential workers and unique households impacted by the wildfires (website gives full definition of unique and essential).
varies
Wildfire Relief: Immediate Assistance for Those in Need
Individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses who were affected by the fires. Must be a permanent resident of the impacted area.
$5,000-$25,000
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
If you lost your job or cannot work because of the wildfire, you may be eligible for unemployment, disability, or paid family leave. Also available for self-employed workers impacted by disaster.
varies
June 10, 2025
Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave for Undocumented Workers
Specific requirements listed online, but funds are also available for undocumented workers (no social security number needed).
varies
We Are Moving the Needle Microgrants
For producers, engineers, and creators whose livelihoods in the field of audio were impacted by the fires.
$100-$1,000
Entertainment Community Fund
Based on performing arts and entertainment income, documented financial need, unexpected critical need, and a social service assessment of need and circumstance. Eligibility varies depending on the grant, but there is one application.
varies
Eaton Fire Relief Grants
Community-based & tax-exempt organizations serving people impacted by the fires.
varies
CERF+ Craft Artists Emergency Relief
Craft artists who have experienced a recent disaster, 18+, lived & worked in the U.S. for two years.
$3,000
State Supplemental Grant Program
Applications were automatically transferred from FEMA after maximum IHP assistance has been reached.
varies
CalWORKS
Amount depends on eligible number of people and any special needs of family members, need for caretaker relatives, unemployment of principal earner, etc.
varies
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Contributors
Bree Jensen
Meagan Schmidt
Editor
meagan@thesocialimpact.co
https://thesocialimpact.co/
Jemimah Perez
Head of Creative
hello.barnabestudio@gmail.com
https://www.barnabestudio.com/
Mikah Gay