Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles launched a four-day ReBUILD LA effort in Pacific Palisades (Sept. 23–26), mobilizing over 500 volunteers to support wildfire survivors with home repairs, landscaping, framing and neighborhood revitalization. Habitat LA has approved 160 households for assistance and has 167 more in the pipeline, prioritizing homeowners who face funding gaps or smoke-related interior damage. Volunteers included actress Karen Pittman and other community and corporate partners; Samsung pledged appliances and technology for one home as part of a $1 million appliance distribution. Habitat stresses that recovery is a long-term process and provides rebuild navigators, grants and ongoing community partnerships to help families return to their original properties.
Habitat LA Launches Four-Day ReBUILD LA Effort in Pacific Palisades to Help Wildfire Survivors — Karen Pittman Among Volunteers
More than 18 months after destructive wildfires swept parts of Los Angeles, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles launched a four-day ReBUILD LA community effort in Pacific Palisades to help survivors rebuild and remain in their neighborhoods. The project, held Sept. 23–26, brought together residents, corporate and civic partners, construction professionals, and more than 500 volunteers to tackle home repairs, landscaping, wall framing and neighborhood revitalization.
Community-Led Recovery With a Long-Term Focus
Erin Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, opened the build by stressing that recovery continues long after headlines fade. “Recovery does not end, of course, when the headlines move on,” Rank said. Habitat LA prioritized homeowners who face a funding gap — those whose insurance and available resources fall short of what’s needed to safely return home.
Since the fires, Habitat LA has approved 160 households for rebuilding assistance and has 167 additional households in the pipeline across Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The organization also emphasizes that many standing homes suffered smoke damage that requires extensive interior repairs — replacing furnishings, flooring and drywall — work that is less visible but just as urgent.
What Volunteers Did
The four-day effort was organized by task and audience. Day one focused on critical repairs, landscaping and exterior improvements with corporate and civic partners. Day two brought entertainment and media volunteers to frame walls for two rebuilds and continue landscaping while hearing survivors’ stories. Day three engaged sports teams and other corporate partners in framing, standing-home repairs and revitalization; Samsung pledged appliances, security and technology for one home and is contributing to a $1 million appliance distribution program for wildfire-affected households. Day four included additional volunteer support, a builder announcement and on-site assistance to help residents navigate applications.
People, Partnerships and Practical Support
Actress Karen Pittman (The Morning Show, Forever) joined volunteers on the opening day. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to volunteer. It makes me feel better in a time and climate where I feel so helpless,” she said, noting that showing up in person complements donations and public advocacy.
Habitat LA provides more than hands-on labor. Rebuild navigators help homeowners through insurance disputes, permitting, financing and construction logistics. The organization has offered thousands of survivors immediate needs support, short-term housing help and furnishings for temporary apartments. Depending on eligibility, Habitat’s grants can help close financing gaps without repayment requirements.
“We wanted to make sure that we were there for the long haul,” Rank said, describing Habitat’s sustained commitment to helping longtime residents return to their properties rather than relocate.
Rooted in the Community
The effort also recognizes grassroots recovery work: block captains, neighborhood meetings and phone trees that help residents stay connected. Habitat LA says its 50th-anniversary recognition was intentionally focused on service — bringing volunteers together to help neighbors instead of staging a celebration.
Rank framed the build as one visible moment within a multi-year recovery: “This is much bigger than the four-day event. This is a long-term partnership.” Volunteers’ work in Pacific Palisades serves as a reminder that rebuilding after disaster requires sustained investment, coordinated partnerships and people willing to show up long after cameras have moved on.
How to Help: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles welcomes volunteers, donations and corporate partnerships to support ongoing rebuild efforts. Angelenos can contact Habitat LA to learn about volunteer shifts, donation opportunities and ways to support survivors returning home.
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