Six years after the Woolsey fire, only 40% of destroyed homes in LA County have been rebuilt due to high costs, emotional strain, and bureaucratic obstacles. Homeowners from past fires caution new victims about the rebuilding process's complications. Two families who lost their Malibu homes in the 2018 fire expressed that they might have chosen to sell had they known the difficulties involved. With recent fires causing even greater destruction, the housing market faces heightened pressures, including labor shortages and rising construction costs.
"They say there's a reason young men go to war because they don't think they're going to die, right? I left thinking I'll come back tomorrow, and it'll be here."
"It’s been two and half years since we finally broke ground on rebuilding our home of 18 years. That came after a seemingly endless back-and-forth with government officials over permitting and approvals for their project."
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