Local officials and residents are raising alarm over the possibility of exploitation of the aftermath of the Palisade fire due to political and corporate interests. Los Angeles City Council member Traci Park warned this week that some elected officials and developers could use the crisis to advance unnecessary policy goals, such as forced redevelopment and increased housing density.
The Palisade fire ignited on January 7th, burning more than 23,000 acres and destroying nearly 7,000 structures in the Pacific Ocean and Malibu. Since then, homeowners have faced delays in reconstruction and insurance payments, fostering concerns that the state has placed recovery efforts to drive a new development agenda.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom intensified the fear last week by allocating $101 million to future low-income housing projects in the area. Residents who are already unhappy with the bureaucratic hurdles saw the funding as a signal that homeowners who have been evacuated in support of a new state-led housing initiative could be pushed away.
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Speaking on a local podcast, Park said she is deeply concerned about her efforts to rebuild the character of the community in her recovery outfit. She warned that “corporate developers will acquire property and change the way the community looks and feels,” expressing fear that fires could be used to justify new density policies that do not match the area’s infrastructure and evacuation safety.
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The park also criticised the lack of investment in infrastructure to support population density, calling safe evacuation during fires a “miracle.” She warned that further developments in the Urban Wildlands interface could put residents at even greater risk.
In response to the growing backlash, Sen. Ben Allen retracted the bill Wednesday evening, which would have created a “resilient reconstruction authority.” The proposed institution may acquire burnt-in property using local property tax revenues and reuse them for low-income or other state housing use.
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While official state plans have not been confirmed to force the redistribution of property, Park has acknowledged that some politicians may view the aftermath of the fire as an “opportunity” to pursue broader policy goals. She emphasized that redevelopment efforts must prioritize the needs and safety of existing residents.
The situation is tense as residents fight for their right to rebuild their homes without being evacuated or overrun by a politically motivated development scheme.
This article was originally published in the American Faith and has been reposted with permission.
