Habitat For Humanity starts 1st rebuild in Eaton Fire burn scar

ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Habitat for Humanity kicked off construction of its first new replacement home in Altadena following the Eaton Fire and says it has plans to build dozens more.

Construction crews were pouring the foundation on the three-bedroom home Monday at the intersection of Pine Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.

It will replace the home that 85-year-old Kenneth Wood and his 84-year-old wife Carol lost in the early morning hours of Jan. 8.

"We all went down to the parking lot of a supermarket and looked back and we said, 'We're homeless'." said Carol.

"It was probably the saddest day of my life," said Kenneth.

Several months later, Habitat for Humanity is building the couple's new 1,200-square foot home with help from the community, even those who aren't considered to be handy.

"We're aiming to have about 60 volunteers a day on these project sites Tuesdays through Saturdays," said Faith Mellinger of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

"Our construction crew doubles as teachers and construction experts, so they will teach our volunteers exactly what they need to know for the day. So you don't need to know a hammer from a screwdriver. They'll let you know how to work."

The Wood's home is Habitat's test case in its Eaton Fire rebuilding effort. Mellinger says they plan to have that home finished before the holidays this year.

"Although the house is gone, our home is coming back," Kenneth added.

Meanwhile, Habitat has enough funding to build about 25 homes in Altadena, but they're hoping to build 100.

Fortunately, Mellinger says with volunteers and donations, Habitat can build new homes for half the price of most contractors.

"The more volunteers, the more funding that we get, the more people we'll be able to help," said Mellinger.

And there is a long list of under-insured or un-insured people who need that help: More than 800 have reached out to Habitat, with an average age of 72 years old.