Habitat for Humanity started construction on its first rebuild in the Eaton Fire burn scar, a sign of hope for one family that says they are grateful to stay in Altadena.
This concrete foundation was poured in on Monday, and framing is expected to go up on Thursday for what will be the Woods’ family home.
Kenneth and Carol Wood have been dreaming of the moment and the chance to return to their Altadena property on Pine Street. They say it’s remarkable to see it happen so quickly.
“People will never understand what it means to be able to live on that corner again,” said Kenneth.
For 40 years, the Woods have called Altadena home. It’s where they raised their two children, where they’d host family gatherings and where their grandchildren would visit.
After losing their home in January’s Eaton Fire, the couple, now 85 and 84 years old, are looking forward to moving back. Their home is the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity’s first rebuild in the Eaton Fire burn scar, marking a new chapter for the family and the community.
“Very thankful, look at the positives, there’s a lot of negatives but we have to concentrate on the positives,” said Carol.
The Woods’ home is one of 25 Habitat is set to be built in Altadena, using pre-approved home blueprints to match Altadena’s architectural character, buying materials in bulk and relying on volunteers to help build. The nonprofit can keep costs down and speed up the process for families wanting to return to Altadena.
“Our main goal is for people in this area and people in this program to not end up with more debt than they had before the fires happened,” said Faith Mellinger, SGV Habitat for Humanity Director of Communications. “It’s inspiration and hopeful to see a project moving forward and being done.”
The Woods’ three-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,260 square foot home is set to be completed in about 6 weeks.
For the Wood family, the loss is still painful, but what they found in the aftermath has been life-changing and brought them closer to their children and friends who also lost their Altadena homes in the Eaton fire.
“Along with the pain, there has been a lot of gain, and having this house rebuilt and help we are getting it is teaching us something we never knew before and never had known without the tragedy we faced,” said Kenneth.
“If you cry together, it brings you closer, and when we rejoice, we’re going to rejoice together. And that’s what we are looking forward to,” said Carol.
More than 800 people have contacted the nonprofit about rebuilding in Altadena. Currently, Habitat for Humanity says it has the budget for 25 homes, but hopes to raise enough funds to rebuild 100.