Wildfires threaten Altadena’s diverse communities and Black homeownership

California’s historic wildfires have devastated Altadena, raising fears that rising rebuilding costs and gentrification will displace long-standing Black and working-class families.

Terry Tang, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, and Jae Hong report for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Altadena, once a beacon of Black homeownership, suffered widespread losses, with many residents fearing they can't afford to rebuild.
• The community's high rate of Black homeownership and multigenerational homes is at risk amid rising costs and outside development.
• Local leaders call for fair federal assistance to ensure fire recovery doesn’t deepen inequality.

Key quote:

"Your $40 million home is no different than my $2 million home."

— Kenneth Snowden, longtime Altadena resident

Why this matters:

The destruction in Altadena highlights how climate disasters can accelerate displacement and economic inequality. Policies that address equitable recovery could help stop gentrification from erasing the community’s history of progress in racial and economic inclusion.

Read more: LA wildfires force mass evacuations as homes burn across city