What 7,000 Comments from Fire Survivors & Angelenos Taught Us
As we move into the third month of recovery after the devastating Los Angeles megafires, our city, county, and state are grappling with one urgent question: How do we ensure a safe, resilient, and fast recovery for all survivors?
To help answer this, the Department of Angels analyzed nearly 7,000 responses collected from more than 2,200 displaced residents and Los Angeles County community members. These responses were part of our recently conducted needs assessment survey. The results paint a sobering picture of need, frustration, and resilience. They also demand action.
1. Housing Instability Is the Crisis within the Crisis
The single most pressing need for displaced residents is stable housing. From Malibu to Altadena, the struggle to find affordable, temporary, and permanent housing is overwhelming. We read countless comments like this one:
“We lost everything, and now we can’t even find a place we can afford. The cheapest rentals are gone, and the ones left are double what we used to pay.” — Displaced Resident, Pasadena
For homeowners, insurance delays and rebuilding barriers dominate their concerns. Many fear they won’t be able to return at all due to high costs and slow bureaucratic processes.
“We thought our insurance would cover everything, but after three months of waiting, we’re still stuck fighting for basic funds. The city says we can rebuild, but at what cost?” — Displaced Homeowner, Pacific Palisades
Renters face even greater uncertainty. Without the safety net of insurance, they struggle to afford rising rents and temporary accommodations. Many have been forced into overcrowded homes, cars, or shelters.
“We had a home before the fire. Now, I’m sleeping in my car, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to get out.” — Displaced Resident, Altadena
2. Financial Desperation Is Growing
Beyond housing, lost income, unexpected expenses, and financial strain are compounding the crisis. From small business owners who lost their customer base to service workers missing now months of pay, the wildfires have left many without a financial lifeline.
“I lost my job because my workplace burned down. There’s no support for people like me who didn’t own property but still lost everything.” — Displaced Worker, Los Angeles
For many, government aid has been too slow or difficult to access. One resident put it bluntly:
“By the time FEMA helps, it’ll be too late. We need cash assistance now, not in six months.” — Displaced Resident, Pasadena
3. The Mental and Emotional Toll Is Heavy
The impact of the fires isn’t just financial. Many survivors spoke about the psychological weight of losing their homes, neighborhoods, and sense of stability.
“I wake up every morning and forget for a second that everything’s gone. Then I remember, and it’s like losing it all over again.” — Displaced Resident, Malibu
The need for mental health resources, community support, and trauma-informed services was a recurring theme in the responses.
4. Disaster Widens Racial and Economic Disparities The data shows stark differences in how communities are experiencing recovery.
Wealthier homeowners in Pacific Palisades and Malibu are frustrated with insurance companies and rebuilding delays but have financial reserves to weather the crisis.
Renters and low-income families in Altadena and Pasadena are facing immediate survival challenges—housing insecurity, job loss, and transportation barriers.
Communities of color are more likely to face displacement and economic instability, with many expressing fear that rebuilding efforts will push them out permanently.
“We’ve lived here for 20 years, and now we can’t afford to stay. The people with money will rebuild—where do the rest of us go?” — Displaced Resident, Altadena
What Needs to Happen Now
These voices are a call to action. They make it clear that the government at all levels and philanthropy need to support:
Creating Emergency Housing & Rental Assistance: Creation of new, intermediary housing options without barriers to leasing. In other mega disasters this has included master leasing of apartments or hotels, purchasing of hotels or the creation of modular temporary communities. Rental assistance should also be maintained and expanded for those able to access available apartments on the open market.
Faster Insurance & Rebuilding Approvals: Streamlining bureaucracy to get people back in their homes faster.
Cash Relief for Fire Survivors: Unrestricted funds to help with immediate needs, especially for low-income and uninsured residents.
Mental Health & Trauma Support: More accessible counseling and support services for those impacted.
Equitable Rebuilding Policies: Ensuring that communities of color and low-income residents are not displaced permanently.
The Role of Organizations Like the Department of Angels
The Department of Angels exists to empower wildfire-impacted communities to lead recovery efforts on their own terms. Direct feedback from survivors, like our survey and this analysis of responses, is our work in action. With this information we can better support survivors in their advocacy, elevate their needs, and amplify their voices. We will continue to provide regular updates as we gather more critical information from survivors and community groups on the frontlines of this recovery effort.
Together we can ensure a stronger, faster and more equitable recovery for our communities.
Join us.