Rebuilding the Pacific Palisades — At Scale
A nonprofit housing program delivering new, insurable homes and a structured path to ownership for wildfire-displaced families.
The Uplifters Foundation is a California nonprofit created to accelerate the rebuilding of Pacific Palisades following the January 2025 wildfire. We acquire fire-damaged parcels, construct new homes, lease them to returning residents, and provide a defined path to ownership.
This is not traditional development. It is a programmatic platform designed to restore a community.
A Community That Cannot Rebuild Itself
- Thousands of homes destroyed in January 2025
- Rebuilding timelines extending years
- Insurance constraints limiting financing
- Minimal participation from institutional developers
Rebuilding has stalled due to cost, complexity, and uncertainty. Individual homeowners face a fragmented process with no coordinated solution at scale.
Without intervention, displacement becomes permanent and the community risks long-term erosion.
A Structured Approach to Rebuilding
Acquire
Targeted acquisition of fire-damaged parcels within defined Pacific Palisades streets.
Build
Cost-controlled construction using 6–8 adaptable designs and institutional oversight.
Lease
Homes leased to returning residents at below-market rates before sale.
Sell
Tenants offered a structured path to ownership through a purchase option.
Each home progresses through this lifecycle under a standardized framework designed to control cost, reduce risk, and deliver housing at scale.
A Programmatic Housing Platform
Uplifters operates a fully integrated acquisition, construction, leasing, and disposition program.
The Foundation intends to rebuild approximately 60 single-family homes, focus on a defined set of streets in Pacific Palisades, and deploy approximately $200 million of tax-exempt bond financing.
The program is designed to deliver housing efficiently while maintaining financial discipline and compliance with nonprofit and tax-exempt requirements.
Homes Designed for Real Return
Each home is designed specifically for its lot within a controlled framework that balances efficiency and flexibility.
- 3–4 bedrooms
- 3–4 bathrooms
- Approximately 2,600 square feet
- Two-story configurations
Rather than a single design, the program utilizes 6–8 architectural plans, adapted for site conditions and neighborhood context.
Built for Fire-Prone Conditions
All homes meet or exceed California wildfire building standards and are designed to reduce long-term risk through material selection, simplified forms, and defensible space planning.
Designed to Be Insurable
Each home is designed to qualify for coverage under the California FAIR Plan with supplemental insurance, ensuring that buyers can obtain financing.
A Defined Path to Ownership
All homes are initially leased prior to sale as part of the program structure.
Lease Structure
- 12–15 month term
- Below-market rent
- Standard residential agreements
Purchase Opportunity
- Option granted at lease start
- Fixed purchase price
- Structured path to ownership
Purchase Assistance
Eligible buyers receive approximately 3%–5% of the purchase price as a closing credit.
Assistance is uniform across transactions, based on objective displacement criteria, and subject to a five-year owner-occupancy requirement.
Monthly Rebuild Data
The Foundation will publish a monthly snapshot of rebuilding progress in Pacific Palisades, providing transparency into market conditions and program performance.
Public Benefit at Scale
Rebuilds Housing Stock
Directly replaces homes lost in the wildfire with new, resilient single-family homes.
Reduces Government Burden
Performs rebuilding activities otherwise carried by public agencies and individual homeowners.
Restores Community Stability
Accelerates the return of residents and creates visible rebuilding momentum.
The City of Los Angeles has formally recognized that this program contributes to its recovery objectives by rebuilding housing and supporting repopulation.
Leadership
Executive Director
Steven Dietz
Pacific Palisades resident for over 30 years. Founding Partner of Upfront Ventures, a venture capital firm, with over 30 years of experience investing in and building companies. Former founder and CEO of United Dwelling, one of the most active builders of small-scale residential housing in Los Angeles.
Has raised over $4 billion in capital across venture and real estate platforms. Responsible for program strategy, capital structure, and execution.
President
Lee West
Pacific Palisades resident for over 30 years. Background in business leadership, fundraising, and community coordination. Leads capital formation, government relationships, and community engagement.
We live here. This program is a direct response to the loss of homes and community following the wildfire.
Ways to Participate
Cash Donations
Support program execution and long-term community reinvestment.
Building Materials & Supplier Support
Provide materials, pricing discounts, or vendor participation to reduce construction cost.
Institutional & Community Partners
Engage as a funding, operational, or community partner.
Interested in Living in an Uplifters Home?
Submit your interest to receive updates on program progress and future availability. We will acknowledge receipt and provide quarterly updates.
We cannot accept formal applications until approximately 60 days prior to home completion.
Register Interest