Rebuilding Lives After Catastrophic Wildfires
Inglewood, California – Over a year has passed since catastrophic wildfires ravaged Southern California, leading to the loss of at least 27 lives and the destruction of more than 15,000 structures, including countless homes. The aftermath left many families scrambling for stability, among them Susan Blumenthal, who was looking forward to retirement with a plan that included an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rental. However, the wildfires engulfed those plans.
Support from NBA Cares and Habitat for Humanity
Blumenthal and many others are confronted with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, facing challenges such as insurance shortfalls and the daunting complexities of contractor negotiations and city permit acquisitions. This weekend, as the basketball community converges in Los Angeles for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, NBA Cares is stepping in to support families like Blumenthal’s through a partnership with the LA Clippers and Habitat for Humanity.
“We’re assisting over 1,500 families navigate the rebuilding process, offering guidance on contractor selection and bid assessment, as construction can be quite intimidating for many.”
— Erin Rank, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Particularly focused on assisting those impacted by the Eaton Fire, which claimed 19 lives and destroyed over 9,000 structures in Altadena, the Clippers are working with more than 550 families from diverse income backgrounds, as noted by Bryan Wong, CEO of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. Many of these families are in their 70s and have lived in their homes for over three decades, often in multi-generational setups, making each rebuilding story unique and vital to Altadena’s community fabric.
Community Efforts and Corporate Support
Before the basketball season commenced, the Clippers organized work days in the parking lot of the Kia Forum, where volunteers, including players, gathered to construct wooden wall frames that could be quickly assembled in affected homes. NBC Universal was an early corporate supporter, committing $2.5 million over three years to the Rebuild LA campaign, demonstrating a clear understanding of the long-term costs associated with recovery after the blaze.
To streamline the rebuilding process, Habitat for Humanity collaborated with architects to create nine pre-approved home designs that simplify the approval process with local officials. Many homeowners have reported feeling overwhelmed by decision-making or high recovery costs. Habitat’s efforts also include securing contractor agreements to optimize pricing for families. The designs of these houses were inspired by the common aesthetics of homes that survived prior to the fires.
“By using data from Google Maps, we were able to capture the styles most familiar and cherished in the community.”
— Bryan Wong, CEO of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
While these pre-approved designs eliminate significant hurdles in the rebuild process, families still face the significant task of physical construction ahead. With the help of NBA Cares and the Clippers, these rebuilding efforts are set to extend well beyond the All-Star weekend, embodying a commitment to helping families rebuild their lives.
