Fire Survivors Gather Outside Southern California Edison Headquarters to Demand $200,000 in Urgent Housing Relief

ROSEMEAD, Calif.— Eaton Fire survivors, civic leaders, faith leaders, and community advocates will gather outside Southern California Edison’s Rosemead headquarters at 11 a.m. to call on Edison International to advance $200,000 in urgent housing relief per displaced household for families still struggling to recover more than a year and a half after the Eaton Fire.

Thousands of Altadena families continue to face severe financial hardship while awaiting for fair compensation from the Eaton Fire. Many remain in temporary housing, are exhausting their savings, taking on crippling debt, or struggling to rebuild their homes.

CBS News reported earlier this month that Altadena resident Mark Rodriguez, was driven so deep into financial desperation, that he tragically committed suicide.

The coalition maintains that immediate housing assistance from Edison International is needed to prevent further tragedies and permanent displacement, and to provide survivors the financial stability needed to make decisions about rebuilding and recovery.

The gathering will call on Edison International to establish an Urgent Housing Relief Program that advances $200,000 per displaced household against future compensation, allowing families to remain safely housed while legal claims and compensation processes continue.

“Altadenans want to recover equitably, however, relief has not come and the burden of recovery has been on struggling families,” said Heavenly Hughes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of My Tribe Rise. “Families cannot continue carrying the financial burden of this disaster alone. Immediate housing relief, advanced by Edison, would give survivors the stability they need to rebuild their homes and their lives with more peace of mind and dignity. We can’t afford to wait longer, we can’t afford more loss of our community members’ lives.”

Organizers also call on Governor Gavin Newsom and state leaders to demand Edison International to ensure displaced families receive immediate housing assistance rather than waiting years for legal proceedings to conclude for an initial payment.

DETAILS

Where:
Southern California Edison Headquarters
2244 Walnut Grove Ave.
Rosemead, CA 91770

What:
Community gathering outside of SCE Headquarters in Rosemead demanding immediate housing relief for Eaton Fire survivors.

When:
Friday, July 24, 2026

10:45 a.m. – Media and participants arrive
11:00 a.m. – Program begins
11:05 a.m. – Fire survivors and community leaders speak
11:40 a.m. – Prayer and closing

Who:
Eaton Fire survivors and displaced families
Jose Madera, Director, Pasadena Community Job Center
Florence Annang, Lead Organizer, Pasadenans Organizing for Progress (POP)
Members of the Dena Rise Up Coalition
Community, faith, labor, and nonprofit leaders

VISUALS

Media can expect:

Fire survivors and displaced families sharing their stories
Backdrop of SCE’s Rosemead HQ
Community leaders calling for urgent housing relief
Signs and banners demanding immediate action from Edison International
Prayer and community solidarity
Families advocating for an equitable recovery outside Southern California Edison headquarters

PARKING

Street parking is available on nearby public streets. Please observe all posted parking restrictions.

Background

The Eaton Fire claimed at least 19 lives, displaced tens of thousands of residents, and destroyed thousands of homes, including much of Altadena’s historic Black community.

More than a year later, many displaced households continue to face housing insecurity while awaiting compensation. Organizers say survivors are depleting retirement savings, taking on debt, and struggling to remain in temporary housing as rebuilding costs continue to rise.

The Dena Rise Up Coalition, alongside more than 250 nonprofit, faith, labor, and community organizations, is calling on Edison International to advance $200,000 per displaced household as immediate housing relief against future compensation. The coalition argues that this assistance would provide families with the financial stability to remain housed while insurance claims, litigation, and compensation processes move forward.

The coalition maintains that an equitable recovery requires immediate investment in the families most affected by the Eaton Fire and is urging Edison International to act now so displaced residents can rebuild their lives without facing homelessness or prolonged financial hardship.