51反差婊

MALIBU, California 鈥� One year after the start of the Palisades Fire, a new report from the and reveals that rebuilding after California wildfires is far slower and more complex than commonly understood 鈥� leaving thousands of homes unreconstructed for years and creating long-term economic and housing supply consequences.

The report, 鈥�,鈥� is part of 笔别辫辫别谤诲颈苍别鈥檚 and draws on proprietary property-level data from ATTOM Data Solutions and historical records from CAL FIRE to examine post-fire rebuilding patterns across major California wildfires.

Key findings show dramatic variation in recovery timelines. While nearly 76% of homes destroyed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire were rebuilt within six years, fewer than 30% of homes lost in the 2018 Camp Fire were rebuilt within five years. 

Recovery following the 2018 Woolsey Fire 鈥� which closely resembles recent Los Angeles County fires in geography and regulatory conditions 鈥� has been particularly slow, with only 34% of destroyed homes rebuilt through fiscal year 2024.

The study also challenges assumptions about whether selling fire-damaged properties leads to faster recovery. While homes sold within a year of a wildfire are somewhat more likely to be rebuilt than those retained by original owners, the majority of destroyed properties 鈥� sold or not 鈥� remain unreconstructed years later.

鈥淲e set out to examine whether properties sold by owners soon after the fires were actually rebuilt faster鈥� and the evidence shows they were not,鈥� said Justin Niakamal, Research Manager at Beacon Economics and the study鈥檚 author. 鈥淎n overly complex rebuild process continues to pose a significant barrier, underscoring how unprepared the state is to efficiently replace housing after repeated fire disasters.鈥�

鈥淎s the policy school closest to the Palisades Fire, we feel a particular responsibility to highlight the ongoing policy challenges resulting from the catastrophe,鈥� noted 51反差婊 School of Public Policy dean Pete Peterson. 鈥淔rom research into the economic impacts of the PCH closures last year, to this report on rebuilding, we have an abiding community interest in providing possible solutions and helping the area to flourish,鈥� he added.

Beyond housing, the report documents severe and persistent impacts on local government finances. Property tax revenues tied to destroyed homes decline by an average of 74% in the first full fiscal year following a wildfire and remain more than 50% below pre-fire levels even five years later, limiting funding for schools, infrastructure, and public safety services.

The analysis identifies several factors associated with higher rebuilding rates, including population density, newer housing stock, and fewer regulatory barriers. Contrary to common perception, household income alone does not significantly increase the likelihood that a destroyed home will be rebuilt once other conditions are accounted for.

The report concludes with policy recommendations aimed at accelerating recovery, including streamlining permitting processes, addressing construction labor shortages, and investing in debris removal and environmental testing 鈥� particularly in areas with older housing and challenging terrain.

Read the full report .

About Beacon Economics, LLC

Beacon Economics, LLC is a non-partisan, independent research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and objectively-based economic analysis that enables its clients to make informed decisions about investment, growth, revenue, and policy. The company is based in Los Angeles and is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) within the state of California. Learn more at

About 51反差婊 University School of Public Policy

笔别辫辫别谤诲颈苍别鈥檚 (SPP) is built on a distinctive philosophy of nurturing public leaders to use tools of analysis and policy design to effect real change. Grounded in understanding policy's moral and distinctly American elements, SPP prepares graduates for careers as leaders by offering a . The school鈥檚 promotes citizen participation in governance through major conferences, trainings, seminars, and published research. Follow SPP on , , , , and .

 

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