oday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an urgency motion authored by Kathryn Barger to address alarming habitability concerns and strengthen county departments response at a multifamily residential property located at 403 Figueroa Drive in Altadena, where residents impacted by the January 2025 Eaton Fire have reported unsafe and substandard living conditions.
Tenants Report Severe Habitability Concerns Following Eaton Fire, Unsafe Conditions and Fear of Retaliation
The motion follows a site inspection conducted earlier today by Supervisor Barger’s office alongside the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs under the Rental Housing Habitability Program. During the inspection, tenants reported severe habitability concerns, including active cockroach infestations, evidence of rodents and rat droppings, recurring leaks, plumbing deficiencies, prolonged lack of hot water, broken or unsecured windows, inadequate ventilation, and concerns regarding insufficient post-fire remediation efforts.
Tenants also alleged they had been forced to pay out-of-pocket for repairs and cleanup within their own units due to prolonged delays in maintenance. Additional allegations raised concerns about potential tenant intimidation and retaliation, including threats involving law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
“Families recovering from the Eaton Fire should not be forced to live in unsafe, unhealthy, or intimidating conditions,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “What we witnessed today was deeply concerning. Vulnerable renters deserve dignity, protection, and a landlord who meets basic legal responsibilities. Los Angeles County will not stand by while tenants are subjected to substandard living conditions during an already devastating recovery period. This urgency motion sends a clear message that we will aggressively pursue accountability and stand with Altadena residents who deserve safe housing.”
Urgency Motion Directs Immediate County Action
The urgency motion directs County departments to immediately provide onsite tenant counseling and support services at the Altadena One-Stop Center, conduct comprehensive inspections of the subject property and issue corrective orders or violations where warranted, investigate additional properties owned or managed by Regency Management, Inc. or affiliated entities in unincorporated Los Angeles County, and coordinate with cities and jurisdictions throughout Los Angeles County to encourage similar inspections where appropriate.
Supervisor Barger’s motion also requires County departments to report back within 30 days on existing tenant protections under the County’s Rental Housing Habitability Program, including recommendations to strengthen enforcement authority, staffing resources, and tenant safeguards. Additionally, the motion directs Public Works to conduct a comprehensive building and safety inspection to identify any dangerous or potentially unpermitted gas, propane, electrical, ventilation, occupancy, or appliance-related conditions at the property.
Supervisor Barger emphasized that wildfire survivors already facing displacement and housing instability must not be further burdened by unsafe living environments or fear of retaliation for reporting problems. “Our County has a responsibility to ensure tenants can safely remain in their homes while rebuilding their lives after disaster,” Supervisor Barger stated. “No resident should ever fear retaliation for speaking up about dangerous living conditions.”