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It is estimated that more than 12,000 homes have been lost in Los Angeles County since the beginning of 2025 (just 17 days ago) due to a devastating combination of fires and storms, an unimaginable and bone-chilling loss. This means real estate professionals are first responders and may be grappling with their own losses.
What a devastating tragedy that destroyed both the Malibu mansion and the “forever home” of its former residents, who may have been “family rich but cash poor,” and rebuilding it seems like an enormous effort. are.
Surprisingly, there has been a lot of comment and attention this week about the richest celebrities who have lost their homes, which is also sad and tragic. But unlike humans, fires have no distinction of class or celebrity. Fire does not discriminate.
So let’s raise awareness among real estate first responders about a historic community that may be lesser known, whose lives, homes, and dreams were forever changed by the 2025 California storm and fire.
Destruction of Altadena, California
In this video, hear the first-hand experience of a 30-year homeowner who lost his home to the Los Angeles County fires. Unfortunately, there are a lot of first-person narrative accounts like this, but did you notice anything in that gentleman’s story? He said he lives west of Lake Avenue and has twice called attention to that boundary line.
In our lifetimes, it was not uncommon for black customers to be directed only to homes west of Lake Avenue, not east, and white customers to homes east, not west.
Like Detroit’s “Eight Mile Wall” and Atlanta’s “Berlin Wall,” Lake Avenue was a racial dividing line where real estate professionals supported a notorious practice called steering. Steering has been illegal in California since the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963 (notably five years before federal law), but as in other parts of the country (such as the Long Island Divide), the practice has continued into this century. I know it continues even after I enter. .
Note the “redlined” portion of Altadena, including west of Lake Avenue, which was heavily damaged in the 2025 Eaton Fire. Source: Richmond.edu
To add insult to injury, “redlining,” which was made federally illegal in 1968 but is still practiced today, also occurred on the west side of Lake Avenue (see map). This means that since before 1960, Black residents, Altadena’s second-largest population and largest white population, have historically faced higher interest rates (even if they were approved for a mortgage) and declining property values. , which has also meant that they have faced partial sales due to mortgage sales. Just being black.
Due to once-legal racial discrimination, real estate development and growth paled in comparison to other non-Black areas of Los Angeles County, without easy access to capital or fair lending. As such, the culturally rich community of Altadena often lacks roots and consideration for the community, and the influence of outside investors whose access to capital is not compromised by the color of their skin because they are not black. remains susceptible to
But Oscarville, Georgia, like many other communities where black Americans have been pushed out, such as “Black Wall Street” in Greenwood, Oklahoma. We made lemonade in Rosewood, Florida, just to name a few. Altadena was no exception, being a black enclave (home to notable artists like MacArthur’s genius writer Octavia E. Butler) and an oasis of homeownership for generations above the national average.
Extinguish fires in a fair manner
That is, many of the homes on the west side of Lake Avenue were built at the time due to legal but unfair housing practices before 1968 and illegal and unfair housing practices that often had no consequences after 1968. It’s been owned for decades by a family who didn’t have a choice.
So while every home, every business, and most importantly every life lost is a true tragedy, for some residents, discrimination dictates where they can and cannot live. It was decided. Now, the fire has taken even that away.
But history doesn’t have to rhyme or repeat itself. In the final Fair Housing Continuing Education Course of 2024, a proud 65-year-old participant asked this before the workshop began, before the Christmas break. In 1968, why are real estate agents more concerned and involved than ever? ”
As the American dream of homeownership becomes harder to achieve due to affordable housing and increased uninsurance (especially in coastal areas like Los Angeles County), the last thing we need as neighbors is to avoid injustice above all else. We must fight against the housing problem.
As all communities hit by tragedy come together, real estate experts are addressing the phantom threats of housing inequity: steering, redlining, gentrification, appraisal bias, insurance bias, evictions, and promised benefits. Japan is obligated to ensure the elimination of housing, subprime loans, and discriminatory housing). CC&Rs, etc., and other predatory practices, such as price gouging, do not prevent the (re)construction of intergenerational homeownership.
As a real estate first responder, try to fight fires fairly. Here are three examples of how real estate professionals are leading the way.
Sasha Darling, who lost her home in a fire, is sharing resources to help others avoid selling to predatory developers. The Oppenheim Group has offered to donate to the committee on behalf of all the displaced residents who are complaining of illegal price gouging by their landlords. ) The Gathering Spot’s LA coworking space is doing what it does best: providing day space and shelter for displaced residents, along with member donations, hot meals, and internet access .
Dr. Lee Davenport is a real estate coach/educator and author who trains real estate agents to provide real estate access and opportunity. Connect with her on Instagram.
