Saturday, September 12, 2026

Fire-Displaced Altadena Church to Convene Rebuilding Funders in Pasadena Sunday

Organizers say four funding entities will meet with underinsured Altadena homeowners whose rebuilds have not started

Lift International Church, the Altadena congregation that lost its building in the Eaton Fire, plans to gather funders, gap-assistance grants and legal help in Pasadena on Sunday for households whose rebuilds have not started.

Organizers said four funding entities are expected on site to work with at least 200 underinsured homeowners, and that more than 160 families supported by the church during the past 20 months have been invited.

Recent assessments put the number of parcels without rebuilding applications on file at approximately 2,222, organizers said. Los Angeles County figures reported Sept. 8 put the total higher, at more than 2,300 of the 5,858 Altadena parcels where homes were destroyed, or about 40%.

The initiative, called Come Back Home, is built to clear financial, administrative and technical obstacles to rebuilding, organizers said. Partners will also launch a centralized platform connecting survivors with state and municipal resources and grants, organizers said.

The event offers disaster recovery funding allocated for more than 100 residences, gap assistance grants, legal filing deadline advisories and consultations, pro bono referrals through the Altadena CDC’s ALLY platform, and recovery updates from the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, organizers said. Partners include Samaritan’s Purse, Hope Crisis Response Network, Mennonite Disaster Service, HPP Cares and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, according to the organizers.

A separate press conference will address coalition recovery and advocacy, organizers said. Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network, is scheduled to highlight legislative achievements protecting wildfire survivors, including utility accountability, organizers said.

Coalition representatives will state a neutral position on Senate Bill 492, which died in the Assembly without a vote on Sept. 1, the final day of the legislative session.

Pastor Anthony McFarland, who lost his Altadena Drive home in the fire, will co-host, organizers said.

Sunday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. Complimentary refreshments will be served. For more call (626) 797-6056 or visit liftaltadena.org.