The devastating Palisades Fire that ravaged the Tahitian Terrace mobile home park in Pacific Palisades has left residents like Clove Galilee and her wife Jenny Rogers grappling with the profound loss and uncertainty of their future. For Galilee, the aftermath of the fire has been akin to a sudden death in the family, a sentiment shared by many others who called the mobile home parks their beloved community.
Galilee vividly recalls the heartbreaking reality that life has moved forward for most people, but for those directly impacted by the fire, the struggle continues. The fire, which consumed over 300 mobile and prefabricated homes on January 7, has not only destroyed homes but also shattered the hopes and dreams of those who found solace and affordability in the serene beachside parks.
Uncertain Future for Affordable Housing
The mobile home parks, nestled on a terraced hillside overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway, provided a rare haven of affordable housing in the affluent Pacific Palisades area. Despite the objections of park owners who sought to increase rent prices to match the soaring property values in California, the mobile home pads remained rent-controlled, offering a lifeline for many residents.
The residents, who owned their homes but leased the land beneath them, now face an uncertain future as the decision to rebuild lies in the hands of the park owners. With the average home price in Pacific Palisades soaring above $3.4 million, the mobile home parks provided a more affordable alternative, with monthly rents averaging around $1,300. Many residents, like Galilee and Rogers, had paid off their mobile homes, making the prospect of rebuilding even more daunting.
Hope Amidst Adversity
As the residents grapple with the loss of their homes and the uncertainty of their future, community support and advocacy have emerged as beacons of hope. Steve Soboroff, the chief recovery officer for the city of Los Angeles, emphasized the critical role the mobile home parks played in providing much-needed affordable housing in Pacific Palisades. Any attempt to rezone the land for exclusive use by wealthy buyers would not only be a complex process but also a blow to the community’s fabric.
Despite the challenges and lack of communication from park ownership, residents like Lisa Atkinson and Elizabeth Morgan’s tragic death have brought the pressing need for answers to the forefront. Atkinson’s poignant account of the park’s management blocking residents from accessing their burned homes without a legal waiver highlights the emotional toll and legal complexities that have emerged in the wake of the fire.
As Galilee and Rogers reflect on their journey from foggy San Francisco to the sun-kissed shores of Tahitian Terrace, their resilience and unwavering hope for the future shine through. Their story, intertwined with the memories of their beloved community and the dream of rebuilding their home on Samoa Way, serves as a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s strength in the face of adversity.
The Palisades Fire may have left a trail of destruction in its wake, but it has also ignited a sense of solidarity and determination among the residents who refuse to be defined by tragedy. As they navigate the uncertain road ahead, one thing remains clear – the bonds forged in the flames of adversity will be the foundation upon which they rebuild their lives.
