Governor Newsom Signs Bill Providing Hope for Palisades Community Stuck in Rebuilding Limbo

The Governor's approval of AB 2692 by Assemblymember Irwin allows a 107-unit condo in Pacific Palisades to rebuild their fire-destroyed homes after a year-and-a-half delay

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2692 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), an urgency measure that goes into effect today and will provide immediate relief to the Via de la Paz HOA in Pacific Palisades, allowing them to finally begin the rebuilding process.

"I am elated these families will finally be able to move on with their lives with the signing of this bill," said Assemblymember Irwin. "Residents from this community came to our office in desperate need of a lifeline, and I am proud that we were able to deliver. These residents have been in purgatory and need to be able to rebuild their homes."

Over half of the 107 units in the Via de la Paz condo community tragically burned last year when California's third-most destructive wildfire made its way through Pacific Palisades. While residents were eager to begin recovery, they discovered the documents governing their property-referred to as Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)-expired shortly before the fires.

Without valid CC&Rs, Via de la Paz has been unable to access insurance funds and to rebuild from the devastating wildfire. The community has been locked out of $40 million in insurance funds which has also frozen disaster relief from Habitat for Humanity and the Small Business Administration.

AB 2692 provides Via de la Paz residents with an opportunity to vote to reinstate their CC&Rs.

"The Palisades Fire left our community facing unimaginable loss and an extraordinarily arduous road to recovery," said Chad Comey and David Greifinger on behalf of the Via de la Paz residents. "Today, we are profoundly grateful for Governor Gavin Newsom and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin for recognizing the challenges facing our condo community and providing us a road to returning home again."

With the passage of AB 2692, residents have the ability to unlock funding for recovery and can begin focusing on repairing their community.