Samaritan's Purse, a Christian aid organization, says Altadena, California, residents who lost their primary residence in the Eaton Fire can apply for financial assistance to rebuild, giving them a chance to restore their homes without taking on new debt.
The organization is taking applications through September 30 for an effort that seeks to rebuild as many as 100 homes for qualifying households affected by the January 2025 fire.
Here's what to know
As Samaritan's Purse described, "Following the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires, Samaritan's Purse is providing resources to rebuild owner-occupied primary residences destroyed by the fire."
The organization says that uninsured and underinsured families will receive priority because they often face the toughest recovery challenges after a major fire.
Construction will follow plans from the Foothill Catalog. Samaritan's Purse says local California-licensed builders and subcontractors will handle the work, with a California-licensed general contractor supervising each home.
As part of the program, homeowners must participate in the rebuilding and commit to using the property as their primary residence. Homeowners can add accessibility features when needed.
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A case manager is not required to apply. Samaritan's Purse will decide whether an applicant meets the program's eligibility standards. To apply, residents can call 833-323-6651 or email Samaritan's Purse at usdisasterrecovery@samaritan.org.
More background
For wildfire survivors, rebuilding is often one of the longest and most financially draining parts of the recovery process. Insurance shortfalls, rising construction costs, and permitting delays can all make it harder for families to return to the communities they call home.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire Collaborative, a recovery aid coalition in Altadena, said that the Disaster Case Management Program is expected to end September 30 after FEMA did not provide $10 million that had been approved, as Pasadena Now reported.
Where can I learn more?
Wildfire recovery rarely ends with clearing debris. These stories look at the other pressures families face after a fire, including insurance gaps and utility costs in Altadena, along with longer-term rebuilding efforts in another hard-hit community.
• In Sacramento, Eaton Fire survivors are pressing for insurance fixes and $200,000 advances to rebuild.
• In Altadena, residents face $3,000 water surcharges or shutoffs after wildfire damage.
• In Talent, Oregon, residents built back greener after wildfire destruction reshaped their town.
For Altadena homeowners staring down deadlines and rebuilding bills, these examples offer a wider view of what recovery can depend on.
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