Rosa Ramirez is back in her apartment in Altadena, but it’s not the home she remembers. After being forced to evacuate due to the Eaton fire in January, she and her family returned to find their living space damaged and unlivable. The ceiling bears smoke stains, and the air is filled with the remnants of a disaster that left many families in a precarious situation.
Rosa sits on her couch, surrounded by boxes and bags filled with clothes and bedding that escaped the fire’s smoke. “I’m slowly going through things to see what needs to be thrown out,” she shares. Her children’s mattresses have been replaced, but much of the furniture is still in the apartment, for now.
Until recently, Rosa and her family lived in hotels, moving from place to place after the fire forced them out. With their funds running low and high rental costs elsewhere, they returned to their apartment complex, which an insurance company deemed “uninhabitable.” They are not alone; around a dozen families have moved back, facing similar challenges.
Many of the residents are living without basic utilities. They have resorted to using portable stoves for cooking and heating water for baths. Some units lack power entirely, while others struggle with intermittent outages. The building itself shows signs of distress, with holes in ceilings from firefighting efforts and the lingering threat of smoke damage.
The conditions are concerning, especially as the complex is surrounded by the charred remains of homes and vehicles. Residents fear exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos and lead. Brenda Lopez, who shares a two-bedroom apartment with her family of six, explains, “We’re here because we have to, not out of stubbornness.”
Residents have repeatedly asked the management company, Regency Management Inc., to address these issues. Complaints about delayed repairs have led to accusations of retaliation, such as power shutoffs. Despite this, Jesse Carrillo, a legal consultant for the management company, insists they are working to restore services and have not charged rent since the fire.
The situation has drawn the attention of local advocacy groups. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is assisting residents who are calling for better living conditions and the removal of hazardous debris surrounding their homes. Pablo Alvarado, the organization’s executive director, emphasizes the need for state and local officials to prioritize cleaning up areas where families have returned.
As families like Rosa’s attempt to reclaim their lives, they are left with a sense of uncertainty. Rosa reflects on her situation, saying, “It’s sad, living like this.” Her daughter, noticing her tears, asks if she’s okay, highlighting the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on them all.
With the management company promising to expedite repairs and service restorations, residents are hopeful but remain cautious. They want to ensure their voices are heard and that their homes are made safe again. Rosa and her neighbors are determined to advocate for their rights and their need for a stable, healthy living environment.