Officials say the Red Cross will soon close its temporary shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center and relocate nearly 300 people whose houses destroyed in the Eaton fire have been destroyed to a new one closer to Altadena space.
The exact timing and location of the move is unclear, but the Red Cross said Wednesday it will continue to avoid evacuees until it can be placed in more permanent housing.
A Red Cross spokesman said the Civic Auditorium complex is a 3,000-seat performance venue, filmed by the TV show “Talent in America” and requires the facility to return to the city shortly after the first week of February.
“When the Red Cross strives to meet this request, we have a team of shelter transition personnel, which is a role to help shelter residents continue to recover to the next step,” the Red Cross said in a statement.
The venue is scheduled to host an event on February 12 and host the NAACP Image Awards on February 22.
Gloria Sandoval sheltered at the Pasadena Convention Center after her house was burned down.
(John McCoy/Time)
Last month, at least 9,400 buildings were destroyed in the Eaton fire. Most of the buildings are houses in Altadena, leaving behind countless residents without roofs.
Shortly after the fire was ignited on January 7, the shelter of the conference center was established.
Pasadena City spokesman Lisa Derderian said the location has always been used as a temporary shelter. The goal is to transform the shelter into smaller locations as the number of evacuated personnel decreases. Currently, all 252 people are sheltered.
“While February 8 is the goal of transitional shelter at the Convention Center, we want to make it clear that no one will be abandoned or turned away,” the city said in a statement.
Red Cross spokesman Angel Sauceda said the shelter will “until all residents have plans to bring them to the next housing solution.”
According to Sauceda and Derderian, the case workers have been assigned to each family to help residents find alternative housing.
Donations will be made at the Pasadena Convention Center on January 12.
(John McCoy/Time)
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency is removing hazardous substances, including batteries, paint and other household items, from fire-damaged properties in Altadena.
As of Wednesday, much of the community remained balanced, with Los Angeles County health officials saying they have not tested fire ash to determine what dangers exist. Officials advise people entering the area to wear N95 masks.
On Wednesday morning, Jim Mayfield, 63, circled his two dog monkeys and cocoa. Mayfield has lived in Altadena for more than 50 years, but has lived in the conference center since the Eaton Fire destroyed his house.
Although officials clarified that they would be transforming into a new location in the shelter, they questioned when this would happen. Mayfield doesn’t know where the shelter is completely closed or where he would go if he can’t get space at the new site.
“If I can, I might go to a motel or another shelter,” he said.
Mayfield said rumors about the closure of the convention center shelter have been circulating among evacuees, but he could not get a direct response from any Red Cross volunteers and staff.
“Although we know that the shelter transition will feel suddenly, please know that these transitions are carefully planned,” Sadada said. “The Red Cross is actively working with local services and constantly communicating with every resident to support it.” Smooth transition.”
Mayfield has received resources, food, shelter and other help in the shelter, but most importantly he just wants home. The retired auto mechanic lost all his property in the fire and said he also felt he had lost his agent.
“I lost all independence. I’m trying to get it back. I used to just rely on myself, but it’s hard now.” He pointed to the sky. “I succumbed to higher strength.”
