Rick Caruso, a former LA mayoral candidate, has partnered with prefab homebuilder Samara to launch Steadfast LA, a nonprofit organization providing free prefabricated homes to low-income wildfire victims in Los Angeles County. The initiative is initially focusing on the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades, with Samara building the homes at cost in their factory. The homes can be delivered in 5-6 months and installed within weeks.

The project has received significant financial backing, including a $15 million pledge from Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia ($5 million upfront plus $10 million in matching donations) and seed funding from the Caruso Family Foundation. Steadfast LA is also working to foster community involvement by connecting donors with schools, churches, and others in need. An independent organization will oversee the eligibility and allocation process to ensure transparency.

The initiative aims to preserve existing community character by rebuilding single-family homes rather than introducing multi-unit housing. This approach helps longtime residents stay in their neighborhoods while ensuring the homes are built to be fire-resistant and energy-efficient.