Year in Review

Altadena Collective has always been shaped by people: our neighbors, our partners, and a shared belief that Altadena is worth rebuilding with care. What began as an effort to help restore Jane’s Cottages grew into a broader, community-led initiative rooted in listening, showing up, and standing alongside those navigating real loss. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has trusted us, collaborated with us, and shared their stories along the way.

Over the past year, we made meaningful progress together. We strengthened relationships with LA County, advocated for Altadenans within local government, and spent countless hours developing smarter, more fire-resilient rebuilding approaches. We vetted contractors, explored ways to reduce costs while improving quality, and created resources to help homeowners make informed decisions. Hosting the Altadena Resource Fair brought neighbors, builders, nonprofits, and agencies together and reinforced the value of shared information. Most importantly, we built trust with our community. The resilience and generosity we’ve witnessed continues to be the most meaningful outcome of this work.

Looking ahead, our focus remains clear. We are committed to helping people return to their homes, creating viable options for those still waiting to begin, and protecting pathways for Altadenans to remain in the community they love. We will continue to advocate, collaborate, and innovate, guided by the belief that rebuilding is about more than structures. It is about stability, dignity, and long-term community strength.

A word from Tim:

One of the most common questions we hear is, “How is rebuilding actually going?” Transparency and good information matter, so here’s a snapshot of where things stand:

Altadena Collective Rebuild Progress (as of December 22):

52 rebuild projects submitted to LA County

47 projects approved by Planning (Zoning)

12 projects with approved building permits

6 projects currently under construction

For context, the projects that have received permits generally began working with us between March and May.

LA County Rebuild Progress:

2,560 rebuild projects submitted

1,071 buildings permitted and under construction (homes and ADUs counted separately)

7 structures completed

These numbers represent real families, real timelines, and real momentum. While the process is complex and often slow, progress is happening. We remain focused on helping Altadena move forward thoughtfully, equitably, and with long-term resilience at the center of every decision.