REIMAGINING DISASTER HOUSING RESPONSE

A Case Study of Altadena, California Following the 2025 Eaton Fire

Introduction:

This study will examine the development of a flexible housing system designed to bridge immediate disaster response with long-term community resilience. This is merely a hypothesis.

Through systematic documentation and technical analysis, we will explore how integrated design, modular adaptation, and innovative financing might transform traditional approaches to disaster recovery housing. The analysis aims to provide practical insights for communities, planners, and institutions working to develop more resilient housing solutions.

Initial Conditions (January 2025):

1. Community Profile Pre-Disaster

This study will document:

- Multi-generational homeownership patterns

- 42,500 residents

- 15,850 housing units

- Cultural institutions and networks

2. Disaster Impact

We will analyze:

- Scale of destruction

- Environmental contamination

- Infrastructure damage

- Community displacement patterns

- Cultural site losses

3. Immediate Challenges

Research will address:

- Housing crisis amplification

- Insurance market failure

- Development pressure threats

- Community network disruption

- Environmental hazards

4. Emerging Response Patterns

Study will track:

- Relief hub formation

- Network activation

- Cultural preservation efforts

- Anti-displacement initiatives

- Collective trauma processing

5. Critical Questions

Research will explore:

- Physical reconstruction options

- Cultural preservation strategies

- Economic protection mechanisms

- Social cohesion maintenance

- Long-term resilience building

Research Note: This case study begins at a moment of profound transition. While the immediate crisis demands urgent action, the community requires time and space to process trauma and determine its path forward. Our analysis will respect this tension between immediate needs and thoughtful, community-led planning.