Key Facts About the Fires' Impact:
1. Overall Damage and Scope:
- Estimated $30 billion in real estate damage
- Total economic impact could reach $272 billion (AccuWeather estimate)
- Destroyed structures in 56% of Pacific Palisades properties
- Nearly half of Altadena properties destroyed
- Almost 13,000 households displaced
2. Types of Properties Affected:
- Nearly 9,700 single-family homes and condominiums
- About 700 apartment units
- Over 2,000 duplex and bungalow court units
- 373 mobile homes
- More than 300 commercial buildings
- Churches, schools, and hospitals also affected
3. Rental Housing Impact:
- Approximately half of destroyed single-family properties were likely rentals
- 770 rent-controlled units destroyed in Pacific Palisades
- Significant loss of affordable housing, particularly in historic bungalow courts
- Questions about whether rebuilt units will maintain rent control status
4. Property Values:
- Pacific Palisades median value: $3.7 million
- Altadena median value: $1.2 million
- 79 homes valued at over $10 million in Palisades fire zone
- Over 2,400 homes in Altadena valued at over $1.5 million
5. Financial Impact on Government:
- $61 million or more in annual tax revenue losses while rebuilding
- 18 school and community college districts affected
- Los Angeles County: $13 million annual loss
- City of Los Angeles: $9 million annual loss
- Tax payment deferrals allowed until April 2026
6. Recovery Challenges:
- Rebuilding could take 5-6 years or longer
- Reference to 2018 Woolsey fire: only 52% of destroyed properties rebuilt by 2024
- Construction costs expected to rise due to high demand
- Some property owners lack adequate insurance for rebuilding
- Concerns about maintaining affordable housing during reconstruction