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Nine Months After L.A. Fires, Most Survivors Remain Displaced as Aid Fades

A new survey finds recovery stalling because temporary housing support is fading, with insurance fights intensifying.

Overview

  • The Department of Angels’ third survey of 2,335 fire‑impacted residents nine months on finds a slow, fragile recovery across Los Angeles County.
  • About 8 in 10 Altadena residents and 9 in 10 Pacific Palisades residents have not returned home, many expect more moves, and renters are more likely to have relocated permanently.
  • Displacement coverage is dwindling, with Altadena households without such coverage rising from 9% in June to 12% and Pacific Palisades from 13% to 20%, and more losses expected.
  • Roughly a quarter of survivors want contamination testing but cannot get it, and most tests on standing homes have detected pollutants above acceptable levels.
  • Insurance frustrations are widespread, with FAIR Plan and State Farm drawing the most very dissatisfied ratings, as survivors cite onerous itemization, lowball estimates and changing adjusters; 73% report worsening mental health, with lower‑income families cutting back on food and medical care.