One year after wildfires devastated communities across Los Angeles County, a new Department of Angels’ survey of Eaton and Palisades fire survivors reveals the myriad challenges they face in recovering.

The survey found that more than 70% of survivors are still not home, nearly half have depleted their savings and over 40% have taken on debt just to survive.

Most survivors are still facing significant hurdles, with worsening mental health, dwindling insurance coverage and unstable housing. The most vulnerable are struggling to meet basic needs and some face homelessness.

But even with those ongoing hardships, survivors now show greater determination to rebuild than before, the survey found. A small but growing group has been able to begin rebuilding and returning home: permits are being approved; ground is being broken on more homes each month; and some are moving back into their repaired and remediated homes, the report shows.

California Community Foundation President and CEO Miguel A. Santana co-founded the Department of Angels with Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel last year to center survivors’ voices in recovery. As part of its mission, the nonprofit has conducted quarterly surveys to gauge the most pressing issues facing survivors.

The findings from the fourth such survey, “Community Voices: LA Fire Recovery Report,” show a full recovery is far from complete, Santana and Spiegel said.

“Progress has been uneven, and many families continue to navigate uncertainty and extraordinary financial, emotional, and physical stress,” they wrote in the report. “Survivors are clear about what will help most: an accountable insurance industry, stable housing, environmental safety and resilient rebuilding. Survivors are leading the way, showing what is possible when determination is paired with real support.”

Embold Research conducted the survey on behalf of the Department of Angels, polling 2,443 adults between Nov. 18 and Dec. 2, 2025, who were living in fire-impacted communities when the fires erupted. Among the findings from the Department of Angels’ survey:

• More than half of survivors still live in unstable or short-term housing as insurance for temporary housing runs out. Many face uncertain futures with no clear plan once their coverage ends.
• Nearly half of survivors have exhausted their savings and 43% have taken on debt during recovery. This financial burden forces many to cut back on essentials, fall behind on bills, or take extra work.
• There has been a rapid decline in mental health with 83% reporting worse mental health than before the fires, which is a 10 percentage point increase since September. Displaced survivors are especially likely to report severe mental health struggles.
• Demand for soil and home testing remains unmet, with many survivors unable to access these services. Even among those who test, contamination is widespread and remediation is often stalled due to lack of insurance coverage or guidance.
• Insurance challenges are worsening as half of policyholders struggle with itemization lists, 38% report communication issues, and 36% have dealt with multiple adjusters — all increases since September.
• Survivors rely most on neighbors and local groups, showing high trust in grassroots aid and dissatisfaction with government response. There’s a real opportunity for government agencies to regain community trust in disaster relief, the report said.
• There is strong determination to rebuild safer with 90% of survivors planning to rebuild, with a majority more determined than ever to do so despite ongoing challenges.

Altadena fire survivor Nicole Wirth said she was encouraged by the large share of displaced residents from her community who want to rebuild and return.

“When I first saw that, I started crying because that’s amazing,” said Wirth, a volunteer with Altagether, a grassroots network supporting Eaton Fire survivors. “But I fear that people don’t know some of the roadblocks that might come in their way yet. I want to keep that number at 90%.”

Some survivors who responded to the survey said the sluggishness of permitting is becoming burdensome.

“We were always planning on rebuilding but going on month six without an approved permit I’m beginning to rethink it,” one Malibu-area resident reported in the survey. “We can’t afford to pay a mortgage and rental and the county doesn’t seem interested in issuing permits.”

Eaton Fire survivor John McCall said the rise of mental health struggles is something he has witnessed first-hand. As pastor of Bethel Church in Pasadena, he is staying focused on supporting survivors who feel hopeless and overwhelmed.

“For me, it’s the constant push of encouraging people to not lose hope,” McCall said. “That’s a big piece of community – how we help each other face it together and not be alone and feel isolated and feel like you’re defeated.”

Santana and Spiegel said the one-year anniversary provides a pivotal moment for action.

“Every sector – government, philanthropy, industry, academia, community organizations, and neighbors – has a role to play in closing the gap between what survivors need and what support systems are delivering,” they said. “If we rise to this challenge, we can help our fellow Angelenos return home, rebuild stronger and restore the stability and sense of belonging every survivor deserves.”

– Ben Poston