Can prefabrics accelerate the reconstruction of Altadena and Pacific's palisades?
THE New Foundation launched by Rick Caruso Hope they will, announcing a commitment of $ 15 million on Wednesday from an Airbnb co-founder to provide nearly 100 prefabricated houses in communities ravaged by forest fires.
The donation of Joe Gebbia, who is also a member of the Tesla board of directors, will subscribe to the distribution of houses made in the factory built by Samara, another company that Gebbia has co -founded. Samara models go from studios to two -bedroom units to 950 square feet.
“In addition to the people who come back to their homes quickly, it gives everyone the hope that is a victim for change to happen,” Caruso told Times in an interview.
The partnership between the non-profit organization of Caruso, StreadFast La, and Samara will provide free houses to those who have low to moderate income which are not insured, under-assured or aged and do not lack money to rebuild. Gebbia contacted this month and offered to give several million dollars.
“Obviously, it drew my attention,” said Caruso about the important gift. Under the agreement, SteadFast will raise an additional $ 15 million to match Gebbia's gift, to win $ 30 million for 80 to 100 houses.
The program also aims to quickly provide accommodation with an imprint similar to what was in the past in the Palisades or Altadena. Caruso said that around 600 of the houses that had burned in Altadena were around 1,000 square feet or less.
People selected for the program will receive a house built in the factory with a metal roof, double glazed windows, a fire -resistant design and a CVC system. Samara will also help install the structure permanently.
Mike McNamara, managing director and co-founder of Samara, said that his team will determine how and where to place the house, note the floor and potentially install a foundation and a driveway or a garage. While the lot undergoes rating and engineering work, including the establishment of water connections, sewers and public electricity services, Samara will build the house in its factory in Mexicali, Mexico, about six miles from the Californian border.
“We are preparing for the lot during the construction of the Hors -site house,” said McNamara. “And what we will do is truck it at the back of a semi, pick it up with a crane, lift it on the site and install it literally in a few days.”
Inside a Samara house.
(Samara)
McNamara said that the distance from the factory will benefit the reconstruction process, because Samara will not have to compete with the Los Angeles labor market or supply chain for materials.
“We are going to build with a completely different supply chain,” he said. “Our costs will not degenerate. Our deadlines will not go out. »»
According to McNamara, the Samara two chamber model costs around $ 250,000, with additional preparation and a work permit costing an additional $ 250,000. He and Caruso hope that by renouncing authorization fees and other measures, local governments can reduce the price.
“I would like to be able to build this up to 1,000 houses and (with) different suppliers of manufactured houses – this is only the start,” said Caruso.
SteadFast always establishes a process to check the eligible owners, said Caruso. An independent organization – still to be announced – will determine financial needs and other qualifications, but the owners interested can submit information On the Streadfast website to find out more.
