Rebuilding Homes, Restoring Community
The destruction wrought by the Palisades Fire has left a deep scar on our community—physically, emotionally, and economically. But the opportunity ahead is not just to rebuild, but to rebuild with intention. The Housing RSF outlines how Pacific Palisades can recover in a way that honors neighborhood character, supports residents of all income levels, and accelerates reconstruction in a fair and cost-effective way.
Partnership Building: A Smarter Way to Rebuild Many property owners are considering whether to sell their fire-impacted lots. Rather than a quick sale to a speculator, a new model allows owners to partner with reputable builders, bringing their lot into a development partnership. Builders take on the construction process, and when the home is sold, both parties share in the proceeds. The result? Lot owners can earn more than a land-only sale, and homes are built to local standards by trusted teams.
Workforce Housing: A Crucial Piece of the Puzzle We cannot rebuild quickly if our skilled labor force is stuck in traffic two hours a day. That’s why we are proposing the creation of temporary worker housing within the Palisades. This not only allows for longer, more productive work days during the week, but also ensures security, supervision, and rapid timelines. These dwellings would be carefully located and removed once the recovery effort concludes.
Architectural Integrity Matters With many rebuilds happening at once, we must maintain the look and feel of Pacific Palisades. Through the PRC’s Architectural Integrity Committee, we aim to uphold existing CCRs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) and offer pre-approved design templates that speed up permits while preserving our coastal character. This is not about stopping change—it’s about guiding it thoughtfully.
