People With Disabilities Struggle to Secure Accessible Housing After Disasters Like the L.A. Fires

Residential facility administrator Retha De Johnette holds a photo of an Altadena assisted living home that was destroyed by wildfire in January. Behind her are the remains of the building. Photo by Daniella Lake.

When wildfire tore through Los Angeles County’s Altadena community in January, Retha De Johnette never expected the disabled residents of the assisted-living facility she runs to remain displaced across the Southland nearly a year later.

“They’re spread out all over, in all kinds of random places right now, and it’s pretty devastating,” she said.