The Need
In the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, many families were able to secure temporary or permanent housing but lacked the essential furnishings needed to make those spaces livable. While emergency response efforts focused on safety and shelter, a critical phase of rebuilding was still underway as households worked to restore routines and re-establish a sense of normalcy.
From House to Home reached a significant number of families from the Altadena community, where wildfire damage disrupted housing patterns and long-standing neighborhood connections. As residents transitioned into new living arrangements, many were doing so without the furnishings necessary to fully establish functional households.
Recognizing that housing stability extends beyond securing a lease, Housing on Merit identified an opportunity to support families in ways that addressed both immediate practical needs and broader community wellbeing.
The Program
Launched in November 2025, From House to Home provided targeted, needs-based support to fire-impacted households navigating the transition from displacement into more stable housing.
Through the program, eligible families received grants to select essential furnishings that enabled them to create functional and comfortable living environments. A coordinated digital storefront and distribution model allowed Housing on Merit and its partners to respond efficiently while preserving dignity, flexibility, and choice for participating households.
The initiative was implemented through close collaboration with mission-aligned partners. Housing on Merit worked alongside The Molly Steinsapir Foundation and HL Home to bring the program to life, combining philanthropic investment, operational expertise, and community engagement. Additional support from Lugg, American Legion Post 283 (Pacific Palisades), SGV Habitat for Humanity, and TaskRabbit helped streamline logistics, distribution, and on-site coordination.
A Model for Community Stabilization
From House to Home reflects Housing on Merit’s broader commitment to strengthening housing stability in ways that are both practical and deeply human. By helping families establish functional living environments during a vulnerable stage of rebuilding, the initiative supported not only individual households, but also the restoration of community continuity.
“Housing is more than a unit or an address. It is the foundation from which individuals and communities regain stability, restore routines, and rebuild opportunity. For families recovering from loss, stability also means creating a true sense of home again. Initiatives like From House to Home reflect our belief that community recovery requires both thoughtful systems and compassionate action.”
— Jaymie Beckett, Chief Executive Officer
Housing on Merit uses insights gained through initiatives like From House to Home to better understand emerging needs across the communities it supports. This perspective helps guide strategic efforts to strengthen housing stability and respond thoughtfully to emerging stability challenges.
