Eaton Fire Survivors Urge Southern California Edison to Provide Emergency Housing Relief
A coalition of Eaton fire survivors and community groups is calling on Southern California Edison to provide immediate housing assistance to the thousands of people who lost their homes in the devastating Jan. 7 wildfire. The coalition argues that an increasing number of Altadena residents are running out of insurance coverage, which had been paying for their housing since they were displaced by the fire. Furthermore, thousands of other residents had no insurance, leaving them without a safety net.
According to Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, a company has a responsibility to keep families housed until they can return home when its fire destroys or contaminates homes. The coalition is asking Edison for emergency assistance of up to $200,000 for each family. At a recent press conference, Altadena residents shared their struggles to find a place to live after the fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed over 9,000 homes, apartments, and other structures.
Gabriel Gonzalez, center, an Eaton fire survivor, speaks at a news conference in Altadena on Tuesday. He and others urged Southern California Edison to provide urgent housing relief to Eaton fire families.
(Gary Coronado / For The Times)
Survivors Share Their Stories
Gabriel Gonzalez shared his personal story, stating that he had been living in his car for most of the last year. Before the fire, Gonzalez had a successful plumbing company with six employees, but he lost $80,000 worth of tools when his apartment building was destroyed. His insurance did not cover the loss, and he lost his business as a result.
Edison is offering to directly pay fire victims for their losses if they give up their right to file a lawsuit against the utility. However, members of the coalition argue that Edison’s program is forcing the most desperate victims to give up their legal right to fair compensation.
