BOARD APPROVES FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR COUNTYWIDE REBUILDING AUTHORITY
July 1st, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CA – In response to the catastrophic wildfires that swept through communities across Los Angeles County in January 2025, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath introduced a motion today aimed at accelerating and strengthening the region’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The motion comes as a result of expert findings recently released in the final report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery and UCLA. The Commission’s report recommends the creation of a regional Rebuilding Authority with the tools and powers needed to rebuild more affordably, sustainably, and equitably across wildfire-impacted areas.
Supervisor Horvath’s motion directs County Counsel to report back within seven days on the legal viability of Los Angeles County serving as a Rebuilding Authority in coordination with willing cities impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires, as well as the December 2024 Franklin Fire.
“Los Angeles County led the fastest mass disaster cleanup in U.S. history – now, we must bring that same urgency to our rebuilding effort,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “A Rebuilding Authority can coordinate recovery efficiently, equitably, and at scale, just as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with us on debris removal. Slowing down isn’t an option, nor is leaving anyone behind. Thanks to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery, we have a roadmap for a safer, more resilient future. I look forward to the County Counsel’s report and continuing to partner with fire-impacted communities to center this process on their needs.”
A Rebuilding Authority would position the County to:
- Administer diverse funding streams, including tax increment financing, and Federal, State, and philanthropic dollars, to support a broad recovery effort.
- Lead public-private coordination of rebuilding, reconstruction, and logistics to reduce delays and ensure strategic planning.
- Acquire and bank land, with a first-look program to prioritize returning residents and families, while also creating community amenities and resilient infrastructure.
- Facilitate resilient, cost-effective construction, in partnership with builders and material suppliers, through bulk purchasing and adherence to modern safety standards.
- Strengthen the local workforce by investing in trades training, job creation, and temporary housing for construction workers.
- Expand financing options for families lacking the upfront resources to rebuild, by collaborating with lenders, CDFIs, and philanthropic partners.
- Rebuild lost rental housing stock, including the promotion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), to ensure housing stability for renters.
- Promote insurability and long-term sustainability, ensuring that communities recover stronger, safer, and more climate resilient.
- Center community voices through an inclusive engagement process that brings residents directly into the recovery planning process.
The Blue Ribbon Commission’s final report, released June 18, 2025, strongly recommends establishing a Resilient Rebuilding Authority to lead coordinated, regional wildfire recovery efforts. The Commission emphasized that such an entity is essential for reducing rebuilding costs, accelerating timelines, and ensuring that vulnerable families can return and rebuild with equity, affordability, and climate resilience at the core.
“The Commission recommends creating a regional Resilient Rebuilding Authority that is provided critical powers by the state legislature and Governor to better help the fire-devastated communities with key financial, coordination, and other tools. Doing so will help create buying power and solutions to help families afford to return—in particular, those most vulnerable—and rebuild with advancing construction affordability, clean energy integration, and resiliency at the core. This moment calls for big systems thinking, and a regional Rebuilding Authority can complement the existing role of local and state governments to help our communities move forward,” said Matt Petersen, Blue Ribbon Commission Chair; Cecilia Estolano, Land Use Working Group Co-Chair; and Russell Gold, Governance Working Group Co-Chair.
More Information
Read the full Blue Ribbon Commission’s Report >
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