Altadena homeowners devastated by the Eaton fire are demanding an end to rebuilding delays and obstacles Thursday.
They said new rules regarding sprinklers, underground utilities, and how close a home can be rebuilt to the street are all adding to the rebuilding cost. KNX News’ Karen Adam reported how Zaire Calvin, one homeowner, has been denied a rebuilding permit four times.
“The electric company is going to charge us to connect after they underground the lines. That should not be a charge that should be upon us. That should be their responsibility. They’re the ones who burnt this down,” he said.
Homeowners are also concerned about being responsible for clearing their lots of toxic lead.
“I'm 75 years old. My knees hurt. I'm not a professional. I don't know what I'm doing. Government, this is where you come in to pay. This is why we pay taxes,” Calvin said.
Anne Andrews, an attorney, said the delays are costing people their lives.
“It’s because the disabled, the infirmed, those that have health challenges that needed medical equipment that they could not afford to replace in the fire have expired prematurely by losing the very things that kept them alive. Breathing machines, certain things that protected their health,” she explained.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney, is also helping the homeowners to plead their case.
“They’re in limbo.They want to stay, they want to rebuild, they want to give generational wealth,” he said. “But they need help from the government to help with all of these requirements that they don't have to bear the financial burden as the victim.”
Crump said they’ve been in contact with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office in hopes to schedule a meeting to address the issues.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM