Black Altadena Residents Fight To Keep Out Luxury Developers

One month after the devastating Eaton Fire scorched over 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 9,400 homes in Altadena, California, the battle for the soul of the community has begun. The first vacant lot sold for $550,000 in cash—$100,000 over asking—ushering in a wave of investor interest. Of the 14 properties sold so far, at least half were bought by developers, including some international buyers, all paying in cash, according to Jasmin Shupper, founder of the Greenline Housing Foundation.

Local residents worry this trend could erase Altadena’s distinctive, community-driven character. “Money isn’t everything and it never will be,” said Darrell Carr, whose family home was destroyed. “It’s the character of the people.” Carr’s wife, Susan Toler Carr, echoed that sentiment: “We’re just afraid that we’ll see a bunch of cookie cutters go up… and we’ll lose the charm of Altadena.”

Greenline is working to protect that charm by acting as a land bank—buying lots to hold them for future community use rather than letting them go to corporate developers. “It’s holding on to land within the bank to buy us time to think about what we want Altadena to look like,” said Pasadena attorney Remy De La Peza.

Historically a refuge for Black homeowners, Altadena boasted an 80% Black homeownership rate before the fire. But a UCLA study found that over 60% of Black households were in the burn area, with nearly half experiencing major damage. “Policymakers and relief organizations must act swiftly to protect the legacy and future of this historic community,” said UCLA professor Lorrie Frasure.

For those trying to rebuild, the path is steep. Homeowners like USC professor Ali Pearl are facing rebuild costs double their insurance payouts. “We bought that house with the intention of living there for the rest of our lives,” she said. Pearl is helping neighbors explore alternatives to selling through her group Altagether. “I think about my neighbors’ kids… who talk about how great that would be to live in Altadena again.”

Link: NBC News