Altadena, California Devastated by Wildfires, Fears of Gentrification Rising - Uncertainty Over Reconstruction
The ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area of California have not only destroyed celebrity homes and iconic movie landmarks but have also affected a safe haven for Black families who have lived for generations in and around Altadena. This diverse community, where many people own their homes, has provided an escape from discriminatory housing practices.
Now, many fear that these historic wildfires, the most destructive in California’s history, have permanently altered the region’s character. Recovery and rebuilding may be out of reach for many, and pressures of gentrification could intensify.
Samantha Santoro, a student at Cal Poly Pomona, expressed concern about how her Mexican immigrant parents and working-class neighbors, who lost their homes in Altadena, will move forward. "We don’t have a second home to go to," she said.
The Santoro family’s landlord never increased the rent on their $1,650 two-bedroom house, which made it affordable for them to raise their daughters. Now, they are temporarily staying with a relative in Pasadena. The family has renters' insurance, but not much else.
Brandenburg state officials reported that 14 water buffaloes were found dead at a farm in the town of Hoheno on Friday. Germany's national animal health institute confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in one of the buffaloes, leading to the culling of the entire herd. The cause of the outbreak is still unclear.
Victoria Knapp, chair of the Altadena Town Council, expressed concern that the fire has brought permanent change for these families.
Kenneth Snowden, who bought a home in 1962, said, "Your $40 million home is no different from my $2 million home." He added, "If billions can be spent on war, then the same should be done to help us rebuild."
Through the collective efforts of White, Black, and other communities, Altadena once served as a sanctuary against housing discrimination. Now, they are fighting to maintain that progress.
