Uplifters Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to help Pacific Palisades families rebuild and return home after the January 2025 wildfire. Our work is focused solely on restoring attainable housing for residents displaced by the fire, in a way that preserves the character of the neighborhood, respects each family's choices, and supports long-term community revitalization. Our goal is to provide newly constructed, fire-resilient homes — which we call Heritage Homes℠ — that are modern, comparable in size to the homes that were lost, and priced below the pre-fire value of the homes being replaced.
We are a non-profit. We seek to maximize value and attainability for the community we are rebuilding. To help make this possible, we use tax-exempt bond financing to lower our cost of capital, allowing more of each dollar to go toward rebuilding attainable Heritage Homes for families displaced by the fire.
Any net proceeds from home transfers will be reinvested into public facilities, services and infrastructure that benefits the surrounding community, including parks, playgrounds, and utility improvements. Uplifters Foundation is committed to a model of rebuilding in Pacific Palisades that is thoughtful, community-centered, and built to last.
We provide homeowners the opportunity for a fair exit, not a fire sale.
Our homes are designed to reflect the original scale, diversity, and architecture of the neighborhood — blending new construction with each neighborhood's unique charm. Our homes will vary in size and layout to support different household types.
We believe in encouraging the return of our neighbors and friends to the Palisades. To facilitate this, we will offer a purchase subsidy to purchasers of an Uplifters Heritage home to prior residents who had substantial damage to their homes, rented or owned. That subsidy requires a commitment to live in the Palisades for at least five years.
Imagine Pacific Palisades in five to seven years — one of the most beautiful places in the world, with new homes, underground utilities, greater fire resilience, and a renewed sense of community built for the future.
Rebuilding has been slow due to cost, complexity, and uncertainty. Of the 993 permits issued through April 30, 2026, only 58 went to speculative builders. The vast majority have gone to individual homeowners rebuilding on their own, often while facing a fragmented process with no coordinated solution at scale.
Yes – 22% of the destroyed single-family homes are moving forward, and that is meaningful progress. However, we also need a solution for families who want to return but cannot take on the complexity, cost, and uncertainty of rebuilding alone. Within a designated 14-block focus area, the Uplifters Foundation will help make Heritage Homes possible on many of the remaining lots, giving families a more coordinated path to return and helping bring our community back sooner.
Without intervention, displacement can become permanent, and the community risks long-term erosion.
| Period (Source: Uplifters Foundation) |
2/28/26 | 3/31/26 | 4/30/26 | All Since Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Sold | 49 | 48 | 41 | 586 |
| Median Lot Price | $1,590,000 | $1,645,000 | $1,725,000 | $1,765,000 |
| Median $ / sq. ft | $247 | $252 | $278 | $264 |
| 100% Destroyed SF Lots Bought by a Developer (>2 parcels) | 1 | 5 | 0 | 58 |
| Permits Issued | 90 | 117 | 77 | 863 |
| Days to Issue Permit (Median) | 88 | 106 | 113 | 102 |
Acquisition of almost 60 vacant parcels within 14 specific Pacific Palisades streets in three areas around The Village. They were selected because parcel density supports scaled rebuilding, site conditions are feasible, and acquisition pricing aligns with program economics. They will become the first neighborhoods that feel complete.
Cost-controlled construction using adaptable architectural designs and institutional oversight through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contracts with multiple contractors.
Heritage Homes are leased to returning residents at below-market rates for 12–15 month terms with an option to purchase the home with a subsidy in exchange for a five year residency commitment. Our Heritage Homes will be the most attainable single-family homes in the community. The interim lease period allows returning residents to reestablish themselves prior to ownership.
Heritage Homes are made available for ownership as the final step in the Foundation's housing delivery program, providing long-term stability for returning residents. Each transfer includes a standardized purchase assistance structure tied to a five-year owner-occupancy commitment.
Each home progresses through this lifecycle under a standardized framework designed to minimize costs, reduce risk, and deliver housing at scale.
Each Heritage Home is designed specifically for its lot within a framework that balances efficiency and flexibility.
3–4 bedrooms,
3–4 bathrooms.
Two-story configurations adapted to lot conditions.
Our approach uses repeatable home plans with thoughtful design variations, helping lower costs while avoiding a cookie-cutter look — so each Heritage Home feels distinct and each street retains its character.
Meets or exceeds California wildfire building standards. Designed to reduce long-term risk and ownership cost and reduce homeowner insurance costs.
Designed with California insurance needs in mind, including supplemental coverage where appropriate, to help buyers obtain coverage and financing.
Join the interest list to receive quarterly updates from Uplifters Foundation on program progress, rebuilding timelines, and home availability.
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