Housing chaos, policy puzzles, missing money, the one nonprofit you truly have to hear to believe, and will there be a 2026 Beautiful Altadena calendar—Episode 22 has it all.

We kick off the episode with the real estate roller coaster gripping our post-fire communities: homes in Altadena clocking in at $1,000 per square foot and the Palisades market sinking 40%. Whether rising or plummeting, the numbers tell a story of a housing market still trying to find its post-fire equilibrium. We break down this year’s extensive LA Times coverage—a series of articles that investigate what's going on but never quite name the larger systemic story lurking beneath. Next, we revisit the Climate Resiliency District (CRD) now being proposed for the Palisades. But unlike Altadena, where the CRD was effectively dropped from above, Palisades residents are at least getting a $300,000 exploratory committee to understand what they’re signing up for. We also dust off one of Steve’s classics from the AltaPolicyWonk Substack: the golf course debacle and the the big decisions that get made behind closed doors. And speaking of accountability… there’s a new investigation into the FireAid funds, and—spoiler alert—it appears very little of that money made its way to actual fire victims. 

And yes—this is our first shorter episode since October, and honestly, we’re proud of ourselves. You're welcome. 

Our Small Biz Shoutout this week may be the wildest yet: Only Philanthropy. Think OnlyFans, but every dollar raised goes directly to fire victims. Their tagline“Using the Male Gaze to Fight the Blaze” is as unforgettable as their mission. Learn more on their website or follow them on social at @onlyphilanthropy.