Steadfast LA, Samara Install Home Allowing Rosalina Rodriguez And Her Family To Return To Altadena After The Eaton Fire

ALTADENA, CA — JANUARY 22, 2026 — Today, Steadfast LA - in partnership with Samara - installed the first home in their Modular Housing Initiative, allowing Rosalina Rodriguez and her family to return to their property in Altadena after they lost their home in the 2025 Eaton Fire. Steadfast LA has already identified the next eight recipients of homes through this initiative, and today’s installation marks the beginning of a series of homes that will be delivered later this year.

This initiative was developed and announced last year in partnership with Samara and supported by HomeAid OCLA, loanDepot, and Armanino. The goal was to allow uninsured or underinsured individuals and families who lost their homes in the Palisades and Eaton fires to apply and have the opportunity to remain on their property, even if they lacked the resources, the time, or the ability to rebuild. The majority of recipients through this initiative will receive a Samara Backyard XL two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 950 square foot model that’s sized comparably to their previous home, constructed off-site, and installed in a fraction of the time required for traditional rebuilding so they can return to these communities as quickly as possible.

The recipient of today’s installed home is Rosalina Rodriguez, a resident of Altadena who lived in the community for 37 years prior to the fires. She and her husband, Rene, raised three children and are now grandparents to three grandchildren. When the fires destroyed her home, Rosalina and her family faced the threat of having to permanently relocate from their beloved Altadena. Without sufficient insurance coverage, rebuilding through traditional means was not an option. Because of this initiative, Rosalina is able to return to her original property and remain in the community where her family has deep roots.

“I can’t think of anything more rewarding in my professional career than the phone call I made to Rosalina to tell her that she and her family would be receiving a home, said Rick Caruso, founder and chairman of Steadfast LA. “It was gratifying for me to be the person to tell her that, after all she’s been through, she didn’t have to worry about cost or timelines or construction, and that she’d be returning to the same community that she’s called home for nearly four decades.”

“This entire effort shows what’s possible when committed leaders step up, take action, and find solutions,” Caruso continued. “Today’s home installation is just the start, and our team at Steadfast will keep working with urgency and purpose to create real, measurable impacts for the communities that have been impacted by the fires.”

In addition to support from Samara, HomeAid OCLA, loanDepot, and Armanino, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office helped expedite permitting and coordination to move the home installation forward.

“My focus is expediting rebuilding and doing everything in my power to streamline permitting so modular homes and all viable housing options remain on the menu for Altadena residents who want to return home,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The County has adapted its permitting systems to simplify approvals, and—working with the State—is ensuring our teams are fully aligned on the design standards, policies, and procedures needed to move these homes quickly from approval to construction. I hope survivors today see firsthand how beautiful and practical these homes can be. I appreciate Steadfast LA, Rick Caruso, Samara, and everyone who made today possible. This is exactly the kind of partnership that helps communities recover stronger.”

About Steadfast LA

Steadfast LA, founded and led by Rick Caruso, is a civic nonprofit organization dedicated to rebuilding Los Angeles after the devastating January 2025 fires. United by resilience and a shared vision for a stronger future, the organization comprises Angelenos committed to revitalizing the Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena, and Pacific Palisades communities. The group aims to accelerate the rebuilding process with efficiency and innovation by bringing together top leaders, bold ideas, and effective solutions to get things done right and fast. Visit https://www.steadfastla.com for more information about the organization and follow their efforts on social media: X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.