An apartment complex for seniors and families in Pacific Palisades reopened on Monday after it was closed due to smoke-damage from January’s wildfires and impacted by mudslides during wet weather earlier this year.
Local organizations such as Community Organized Relief Effort, the California Community Foundation, Department of Angels, the Change Reaction, All Hands & Hearts, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network celebrated the reopening of the complex, Casa Gateway.
While residents were displaced following the devastating Palisades fire, the organizations remediated the affected units, removed and replaced attic insulation, replaced interior hallway flooring and painted the interior hallways and communal areas.
According to the groups, Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships secured funding to facilitate six inches of mud removal caused by rainstorms that followed in the months after the fires, and for irrigation repairs, as well as to replace an external wall and tile to complete the restoration of Casa Gateway.
“Casa Gateway shows that when government, philanthropy, and community solve problems together, we can move nimbly to meet needs swiftly at a critical time,” Miguel A. Santana, president and CEO of California Community Foundation, said in a statement. “This is about much more than repairing fire damage — it’s about restoring dignity, stability, and confidence to those who’ve been through so much since the Palisades fire.”
Mayor Karen Bass explained that the reopening was about celebrating seniors and families returning home.
“It’s about proving that when we work together — government, philanthropy, and community — we can overcome any obstacle, and we will continue working together until every family is back home. I want to thank all of the partners here today for making this milestone possible,” Bass said in a statement.
The Mayor’s Office noted that CORE played a vital role in restoring the smoke-damaged units. Bass’ reached out to CORE after seeing CORE’s successful home smoke remediation program in Altadena to manage similar work for Casa Gateway.
“We’re grateful that the mayor and the Department of Emergency Management trust CORE’s tireless commitment to support Los Angeles when in need. In turn, we call and trust our network of partners and supporters to join us to surround communities in crises,” said Ann Lee, co-founder and CEO, CORE.
“CORE is here to keep a promise, to move heaven and earth to support this great city and affected neighborhoods to get back on their feet,” Lee added.