Overview

• Rick Caruso has announced the formation of Steadfast LA, a nonprofit organization focused on rebuilding areas affected by January's devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and surrounding regions.
• Steadfast LA will leverage private-sector expertise, including leaders from Netflix, Amazon, Gensler, and others, to address challenges such as toxic waste cleanup, infrastructure upgrades, and housing reconstruction.
• Caruso, who is personally funding the initiative, stated that the nonprofit aims to cut through bureaucratic delays and deliver faster solutions, inspired by models like Operation Warp Speed and post-9/11 recovery efforts.
• The effort comes alongside a similar government-led initiative, L.A. Rises, which has received a $100 million pledge and support from Mayor Karen Bass, although Caruso has been critical of her handling of the wildfire response.
• Steadfast LA plans to integrate innovative technologies, such as AI for permit processing, and advocate for long-term infrastructure improvements to mitigate future disasters.