Jason and Amanda signed the papers for their Altadena home on the same day Amanda went into labor with their son, marking the beginning of a new chapter for their growing family. Just one month after welcoming their baby boy, they moved into the home they would live in for the next 21 years—the only home their son has ever known.
When the Eaton Fire devastated the diverse, close-knit community of Altadena, the family lost not only their home, but the memories and personal belongings that made it irreplaceable.
“The moment our house burned down, it felt like a heavy weight on us,” Jason said. “We questioned whether we would ever get our lives back. But when SGV Habitat entered the picture, it felt like it might be possible to rebuild a version of our life—and our neighborhood, too.”
Rebuilding with SGV Habitat was not initially part of their plan. The opportunity came unexpectedly when Jason spoke with their neighbor, Rosa, who shared that she would be rebuilding with SGV Habitat. That conversation opened the door to an option they had not previously considered.
After doing their research, the couple found SGV Habitat to be different from other contractors they had spoken with—focused on community recovery and long-term affordability rather than profit.
When they learned their home would be rebuilt through SGV Habitat, Amanda was overcome with emotion.
“I just looked at Jason and said, ‘In seven months, we get to go home,’ and I burst into tears,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much fear I had been carrying—that we might never come back.”
While the couple is grateful for the housing they found in Arcadia, Altadena has always been home. They were drawn to its artistic, welcoming spirit and strong sense of community.
Jason looks forward to seeing how the town continues to grow in the years ahead—and even to rediscovering simple joys, like finding a new favorite local pizza spot.
“I look forward to having peace,” Amanda said. “It has been a difficult time being displaced.” She also looks forward to returning home and hosting family gatherings again—especially Fourth of July and Easter celebrations in their backyard, moments she describes as a “little slice of heaven.”
For Jason, it’s the everyday moments he misses most—sipping coffee on the porch and taking in the view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Even in the aftermath of loss, the family has found hope in a community that continues to show up for one another. From neighborhood art to future plans like planting poppies on empty lots, Altadena’s resilience remains strong.
A year later the land is seeing growth – soon to be home again.
