Los Angeles Mayor Faces Scrutiny Over Rebuilding Claims

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for highlighting a development project as the “first homes rebuilt” after the destructive Palisades fire. However, records reveal that the project was in progress prior to the fire, receiving official approval only after the original structure was destroyed.

On November 21st, Mayor Bass announced that a home at 915 N. Kagawa Street in Pacific Palisades had received its first certificate of occupancy since the fire, labeling it a significant step for the city’s recovery. This declaration sparked criticism, particularly because it has now surfaced that the home, owned by a developer, was already undergoing demolition and redevelopment work before the fire reignited. In fact, a demolition permit had been issued mere hours before the fire began its second wave of destruction. Critics claim the project was misleadingly presented as a new post-fire rebuilding effort.

Property records indicate the site was bought in early November 2024, and a demolition permit was granted on January 7, the same day the Palisades Fire transformed into a more significant threat, resulting in over 6,800 structures being lost and 12 fatalities. At that time, the developer had already submitted a planning confirmation application on November 8, 2024, yet it was not approved until April 1, 2025—almost three months post-fire. The Los Angeles Department of Building Safety issued the certificate of occupancy on November 21, 2025.

Initially, the mayor shared the certificate announcement on social media as a key milestone in the rebuilding process. But she later deleted the post, explaining that she took it down due to “false information” circulating. An updated message claimed that the Kagawa home was “destroyed by fire” and stated that the approvals came only after the blaze roared back to life, adding that, while the property is unoccupied, it exemplifies that reconstruction is underway. She asserted that misinformation was pervasive and her revised post aimed to clarify the situation.

Pali Builds, a prominent watchdog organization, has raised concerns about the accuracy of the mayor’s statements. In a post noted by the New York Post, they accused the city of failing to verify basic facts and indicated that the portrayal of reconstruction was incorrect. They questioned how the city could manage the intricate process of rebuilding an entire community when it struggled to confirm whether a single home had been reconstructed following the fire.

Recent reports reveal that over 70% of fire victims in the Pacific Palisades area are still living in temporary housing nearly a year after the disaster. Survey data, compiled from 2,300 fire-affected residents across Los Angeles County, indicated that about 75% of Palisades residents surveyed and 67% of neighboring Altadena residents remain displaced. Many of these individuals expect to have to relocate again next year, which further illustrates the ongoing instability for those who have not experienced total housing loss. Over a third of residents with homes that sustained damage but were not completely destroyed anticipate having to move again soon.

For numerous evacuees, Mayor Bass’s announcement felt tone-deaf. Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in the fire and has since become an advocate for fellow victims, expressed frustration. He urged others to “read the data,” pointing out that key approvals for the Kagawa property came before the fire’s aftermath.

Recently, Pratt delivered heartfelt testimony at a Congressional hearing led by Senators Ron Johnson and Rick Scott, where he accused state and local officials of “criminal negligence,” asserting that delays and bureaucratic hurdles were displacing families from their neighborhoods. He suggested that the reconstruction efforts are being influenced by wealthy donors and foreign investors rather than focused on the needs of local residents.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin echoed these complaints at a recent policy event, criticizing the perceived inefficiency of Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. He stated that while federal agencies had completed the removal of hazardous materials and debris several months ago, local approvals continue to hinder the progress of reconstruction.

Even former President Donald Trump weighed in during a cabinet meeting, asserting that the federal government has met its obligations, while accusing Bass of incompetence. “These are great homeowners who want to build a home but can’t get approval,” Trump remarked. “The city won’t allow that.”

The bus was scheduled to depart for a trip to Africa in the days following the January fires, despite warnings about extreme winds. Investigations later suggested that a still-smoldering hotspot from the January 1st fire may have flared up again on January 7th, leading to further devastation.