Miguel Santana was quoted in a story on an effort to reform the so-called Mansion Tax or ULA by engaging with local and state leaders. CCF strongly supported Measure ULA’s passage in 2022 and is now leading efforts to reform it by engaging with local and state leaders. Known as “Affordable LA: Mend It, Don’t End It,” a coalition is arguing that the real estate transfer tax – originally pitched as a way to fund affordable housing and homelessness programs – is instead constraining housing production, slowing real estate activity and draining public revenues. “There have been some unintended consequences,” said Miguel Santana.
Miguel Santana and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined Politico for a roundtable discussion on fire recovery nearly 500 days after the Los Angeles wildfires. “When survivors tell their stories directly, it stops being political and becomes human,” Santana said. “Communities across the country understand disaster and recovery — and when people hear firsthand what families in Altadena and the Palisades have lost, and what it takes to rebuild homes, schools, businesses and places of worship, it becomes impossible to look away.”
Latest Department of Angels survey, sponsored by the California Community Foundation, illustrates accelerating crisis threatening the region nearly 500 days after the Los Angeles wildfires
CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana joined Andrew King of the Department of Angels and host Kate Cagle on the LA Times Studios podcast “Rebuilding L.A.” to speak plainly about what’s at stake for wildfire survivors nearly 500 days after the Jan 7 fires: as temporary housing funding disappears and federal assistance stalls, the risk of displacement is growing. According to a recent Department of Angels survey, more than 22% of fire survivors have already lost housing support, with another 24% expected to lose it within the year. Santana stressed the gravity of the situation: “People are just trying to survive… There are people today who are unhoused as a result of the fire, and that number is going to grow.”
Latest Department of Angels survey, sponsored by the California Community Foundation, illustrates accelerating crisis threatening the region nearly 500 days after the Los Angeles wildfires
Grants will help fund community gatherings, local music and storytelling events and creative workshops, offering culturally affirming pathways to rebuild connection
Miguel Santana’s keynote address at the Pasadena mayor’s prayer breakfast drew coverage from various media. The stories reported that CCF redistributed $30 million in rapid support funds to fire survivors within 30 days, ultimately raised $100 million from 50,000 donors worldwide and provided grants for healing and restoration.
Numerous media outlets covered the 15-month Department of Angels survey, quoting CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana. Major findings from the survey included that nearly half of wildfire survivors will soon, or already have, run out of temporary housing insurance before they can rebuild or move home, and homeowners are facing an average gap of more than $600,000 between insurance payouts and actual rebuilding costs. This is “a fragile moment for survivors,” Department of Angels co-founders Evan Spiegel and Miguel Santana wrote in the report. “As gaps in family budgets widen, confidence is wavering, raising important questions about who will recover and under what conditions.” Palisades News; CBS
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs released its latest Quality of Life Index (QLI) earlier this month, and the findings reflect the daunting challenges facing Angelenos today. In a year marked by wildfires, intensified ICE raids and rising costs, the index found Angelenos have record low levels of satisfaction with their quality of life.
Politico and other media quoted Miguel Santana about his leadership in advocating for ways to mend, not end, Measure ULA, the 2022 ballot measure that implemented an extra 4% tax on the sales of high-dollar real estate transactions to raise funds for affordable housing. Santana said research suggested that the measure, which CCF supported, has stymied housing development and that some reforms were needed. “I have a greater sense of responsibility to be honest about the unintended consequences and to use our ability to advocate for changes,” he said.
Miguel Santana was quoted by numerous media reflecting on a recent report highlighting a continued decline in quality of life across Los Angeles County. According to 11th annual Quality of Life Index, a project in partnership with CCF and UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, satisfaction among Angelinos has fallen to its lowest point since the survey began in 2016. “The (index) captures both the hope and the challenges in Los Angeles,” Santana said. “Through our partnership with UCLA Luskin over the next decade, we can better understand the region — and what it takes to ensure a good life is within reach for all.” KTLA; CBS
Older adults who lost homes, possessions and stability in the 2025 Eaton Fire are receiving critical support, thanks to a partnership between the California Community Foundation (CCF) and Pasadena Village.