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FAQs: Expanding Housing Choices Initiative (Steadfast LA x Samara)

 

How does this initiative work?

 

This initiative is meant to offer a no-cost lifeline to low-income wildfire victims who lost homes they owned and would otherwise be forced to leave the property they have lived on for years because the cost to rebuild is too high and insurance will not cover it.

 

Homeowners can submit their information to Steadfast LA. In the coming weeks, Steadfast LA Foundation will announce a collaboration with an independent organization that will administer and facilitate the eligibility, building, and installation process between victims and Samara

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Who is eligible to participate in this initiative and how many people will receive homes? 

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The independent organization with which Steadfast LA Foundation collaborates will apply eligibility criteria to determine what homeowners are eligible to participate in the initiative and then administer and facilitate the building and installation process with Samara. Eligibility will be based on financial need and other objective criteria.

We aim to build at least 100 times through this initiative. The final number will depend on total funds raised, permitting costs, and site work – we want to build as many high-quality homes for people as we can.

 

How is this initiative being funded? 

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This initiative is being funded through the newly established Steadfast LA Foundation, formed as a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with Steadfast LA to accept donations and support initiatives like this. The initial funding for this initiative has been generously provided by Airbnb and Samara co-founder Joe Gebbia will donate $15M to the initiative, including an initial $5M and a pledge to match an additional $10M in major donations. The Caruso Family Foundation – led by Steadfast LA Chairman
Rick Caruso – will also provide seed funding for this initiative.

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When will Steadfast LA Foundation announce the independent organization that is determining victims’ eligibility and then administering and facilitating the building and installation process?

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Steadfast LA Foundation will announce that independent organization in the coming weeks.

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What is the quality of these Samara modular homes? 

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Samara’s high-quality, small homes are built in a factory in 5-6 months and can be installed on a property in as little as a few weeks of minimal on-site work. They are roughly 950 square feet and more information about their features can be found on  Samara’s website. 

How does this initiative address rising construction costs, construction delays, and potential supply-chain challenges?

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Prefab construction, like the modular homes built by Samara, will be critical to the overall rebuild of Los Angeles. The scale of this disaster means that labor and material costs will rise, the timing of construction projects will be stretched, and resources may be in limited supply.

 

These homes will be constructed in a factory over a 5-6 month period and can be installed on a property with minimal on-site work in as little as a few weeks. The final delivery timeline depends on permits and site readiness.

 

How will this initiative address potential challenges with regard to city and permitting and zoning regulations?   

 

Samara will handle the entire installation and permitting process for affected homeowners. Steadfast LA intends to work closely with city and state officials to expedite permitting and regulatory processes to ensure victims can have these units installed without unnecessary delays.