Housing Showcase Highlights Modular Construction as a Faster, More Affordable Path Home for Wildfire Survivors

Community leaders connect survivors to permitting and financing support and pilot new housing models to ease the region’s housing shortage.

ALTADENA, CA–Community leaders previewed an upcoming housing showcase of modular and prefab solutions to help wildfire survivors rebuild faster and more affordably. Made possible by LA4LA and cityLAB-UCLA’s research, engagement, and design, the event was informed by community listening sessions led by partners including Community Women Vital Voices and will open to the public on November 8. The open house is supported by the California Community Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation and produced with the County of Los Angeles, RnLA, ARRC and CORE. The display will provide critical options to survivors eager to get back onto their properties, nearly 10 months after the fires. This effort also helps identify scalable new housing models to tackle the region’s broader housing crisis.  

“I’m proud to support this effort, which demonstrates the power of partnerships and innovation,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “These modulars and prefab homes offer real, tangible solutions for wildfire survivors. As many families approach the end of their insurance rental assistance, it’s critical that we provide fast, affordable housing options that help them return home and strengthen our community.”

In addition to featuring examples of modular and prefab housing options, the showcase will include onsite case management and financing options for wildfire survivors. This was made possible with vacant land provided by the County of Los Angeles. 

“Having access to an affordable place to live is a priority for Wells Fargo because every community needs housing to thrive,” said Darlene Goins, President of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We’re proud to support this showcase to bring together innovative housing solutions and critical recovery resources to help give wildfire survivors more options to return home.”

The fast evolving modular and prefab home marketplace gives homeowners more choices to bridge the gap between building costs and timing. This becomes especially important as rental assistance via insurance is set to end for many families as the anniversary of the fires approaches. The showcase features six homes which were installed in four weeks, illustrating the speed at which these homes can come online in comparison to traditional builds.

The showcase includes prefabricated units from six companies: AMEG with New Economics for Women, Villa, Azure, Conex Modular, Liv Connected, and Sola/Model Z.

“This is what philanthropy in action looks like,” said Miguel Santana, President & CEO of the California Community Foundation. “The road to recovery requires us to work collaboratively and think creatively, the showcase is the perfect example of that.” 

The prefab homes range in cost from $90,000 to $200,000. Comparatively, costs for a newly constructed similarly sized home range from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Some modular and prefab options can be used as single-family homes and others can be used as ADUs while the primary homes are rebuilt and later converted to income generating tools. 

“LA4LA is about driving down the cost of housing and urgently making housing available,” said Sarah Dusseault, Lead Strategist at LA4LA. “This effort is about helping wildfire survivors return home while also bringing scalable solutions to our region’s housing crisis.” 

This initiative builds on LA4LA’s goal to innovate and facilitate the creation of housing quickly and affordably, both to alleviate the ongoing housing crisis and to restore the thriving communities that were lost to the fires. 

Dana Cuff, Distinguished Professor and Founding Director of cityLAB-UCLA, believes that prefab homes and ADUs are an important option for Altadena’s residents, “We want people to be able to see and feel different rebuilding options. Custom built houses will be right for some people, but others will want a faster way to get back home.

“When leaders, builders, policy makers and the community come together, we create not just homes, but HOPE,” said Lena Kennedy, President & CEO of Community Women Vital Voices. “This partnership shows that with innovation and heart, we can rebuild lives faster and stronger — proving that recovery after a disaster doesn’t have to take years. We are giving families real options and a clear roadmap to resilience.”

"CORE’s Disaster Case Managers engage with residents daily, and nearly all of the concerns they hear revolve around housing — from affordability and availability to navigating the process and finding a true sense of home,” said Tracy Reines, Disaster Response Lead - Los Angeles Wildfires for CORE. “This innovative prefab marketplace highlights the possibilities for what can be achieved right here in Altadena."

The showcase is located on 2231 Lincoln Avenue in Altadena and will be open to the public starting November 8, from noon to 6pm Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. 

The Altadena Prefab Housing Handbook can be found here.

Photos and b-roll can be found here.

For guided tours of the site contact lisa@cielostrategic.com.