Caruso Nonprofit to Provide Free Pre-fab Homes in LA County
A foundation set up by billionaire developer Rick Caruso has planted a stake to rebuild single-family homes within Los Angeles burn zones, rather than change the housing makeup by erecting apartments.
Partnership with Prefab Homebuilding Firm
Steadfast LA, the nonprofit founded by Caruso to help rebuild burned areas in L.A. County, has partnered with a prefab homebuilding firm to provide new houses for low-income homeowners in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, City News Service reported.
Mission to Keep Communities Intact
"This initiative is about keeping communities intact," Caruso declared in a statement. "Many of the people struggling the most right now are those who have lived in these neighborhoods for decades. They built their homes many years ago, they’re underinsured or lack insurance, and now they have lost everything. We’re giving these victims a realistic way to stay on their properties and quickly return to their lives at a time when the deck is stacked against them."
Historic Neighborhood Restoration
The home-building initiative calls for restoring a historic neighborhood with single-family homes, which contrasts with other approaches that call for rebuilding scarred neighborhoods with a mix of more affordable housing.
Partnering with Samara
The prefab homes built by Samara, based in Redwood City, will be offered to "low-income homeowners in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades who lost homes in the wildfires and lack the economic resources to rebuild," according to Steadfast LA. The homes will be fully funded through Steadfast LA, which will collaborate with an unidentified "outside organization" to oversee the eligibility, building, and installation process between property owners and Samara.
Funding and Timeline
Samara and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia will donate $15 million to the effort, including an initial $5 million followed by $10 million in matching donations, according to Steadfast. The Caruso Family Foundation will provide an unspecified amount of "seed funding" for the program. The homes will be built at a factory "for no profit. They could be delivered in five to six months, then installed on a property in ‘a few weeks of minimal on-site work,’" according to Steadfast. Samara will also handle the installation and permitting.
Conclusion
This initiative aims to provide a much-needed solution for low-income homeowners who have lost their homes in the wildfires. By partnering with Samara, Steadfast LA is committed to restoring historic neighborhoods and keeping communities intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many prefab homes will be provided through the partnership?
The number of prefab homes to be provided is not specified. - How will the eligibility, building, and installation process work?
Steadfast LA will collaborate with an unidentified "outside organization" to oversee the process. - What is the timeline for the project?
The homes will be delivered in five to six months, followed by installation on-site in a few weeks. - How will the funds be allocated?
Samara and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia will donate $15 million, with an initial $5 million followed by $10 million in matching donations. The Caruso Family Foundation will provide an unspecified amount of "seed funding" for the program.
