Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Barger Cites Insurance Delays, System Gaps in Altadena Rebuild Effort

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Supervisor Kathryn Barger via Facebook

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger acknowledged Monday that major obstacles remain in the effort to rebuild Altadena following last year’s devastating Eaton Fire — citing both financial hardship among homeowners and bureaucratic delays within the county’s own permitting system.

Speaking at a weekly community meeting, Barger outlined what she called two main hurdles to recovery: financial strain and a “rebuilding ecosystem” that has not kept pace with residents’ needs.

“Too many families are still waiting for payouts delayed or disputed, leaving them stranded,” she said. “Insurance companies must do better and be held accountable for the harm their delays are causing.”

According to the official, more than 2,100 rebuilding applications have been submitted to Los Angeles County since the fire, but only about 28% have received building permits, and just 251 homes are actively being rebuilt.

The largest bottleneck, she noted, occurs between the submission of full building plans and the county’s permit approvals.

County departments have been directed to identify the causes of the delays and improve communication with applicants.

“Despite efforts to streamline the rebuilding process, gaps remain and must be closed,” she said.

The official also highlighted ongoing financial struggles among fire survivors, referencing a study by UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute that found one in four homeowners remain stuck mid-application because of financial constraints.

While the county has waived all permitting fees for fire survivors, she said, many residents remain underinsured or face insurance delays that have slowed their recovery.

Barger stressed that government alone cannot rebuild Altadena. “The private sector—architects, engineers, builders, and insurers—are vital partners,” she said, urging the building industry to treat the recovery “as a humanitarian mission.”

Her action plan includes three priorities: pressuring insurers to pay what they owe, holding county departments accountable for timely reviews, and enlisting private-sector help to meet the region’s rebuilding demand.

“Altadena residents have already proven their resilience,” she said. “Now it’s time for the institutions around them—both public and private—to meet that same standard.”