Thousands of Los Angeles residents who lost their homes to the devastating Palisades Fire are now struggling with another crisis—skyrocketing rental prices.
With more than 5,000 homes damaged or destroyed, displaced homeowners and renters are desperately searching for temporary housing, only to find landlords hiking rents by thousands of dollars overnight.
Families Left Homeless, Now Facing Exploitative Price Hikes
Jay Gilberg, a homeowner in Pacific Palisades, had just settled into a five-bedroom house with his blended family when the wildfire reduced it to ashes. While searching for a rental home, he was shocked to find prices increasing dramatically within hours.
A Beverly Hills property that was originally listed for $14,000 per month jumped by $4,000 overnight—an almost 29% surge—simply because of “supply and demand.”
“There are good people who want to help, and then there are others who see an opportunity to profit from tragedy,” Gilberg said.
He’s not alone. The Los Angeles Tenants Union has identified over 500 cases of sudden rent increases across the city, with some landlords more than doubling their rates.
Governor Newsom and Attorney General Crack Down on Price Gouging
Recognizing the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order banning rent hikes above 10% in affected areas. However, tenant advocates warn that even a 10% increase could be devastating for wildfire victims already struggling with financial losses.
Tony Carfello, a representative from the Los Angeles Tenants Union, emphasized that many landlords will still attempt to overcharge renters despite the ban. “Even before the fires, many tenants were barely getting by. Now, they’re being pushed into an impossible situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has launched multiple investigations into reported cases of price gouging. “This is unacceptable behavior. People who have lost everything should not have to fight against predatory landlords just to find a place to stay,” Bonta stated in a news conference, urging victims to report evidence of rental exploitation.
An Elderly Couple Struggles to Find Shelter
For some wildfire victims, the rental market has become a battleground. Renee Weitzer, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, and her 88-year-old husband, Ed, barely escaped their burning Sunset Mesa home with just their dog, medication, and a single change of clothes.
The couple, desperate for shelter, offered $14,000 per month—nearly double the asking price—on a rental home, even willing to pay a year’s rent upfront. Yet, they were still outbid. Now, they are forced to move into a relative’s one-bedroom apartment as they wait for their insurance claim to be processed.
“It’s going to take years to rebuild,” Renee Weitzer said. “At our age, we’re not sure if we’ll ever be able to return home.”
Los Angeles Officials Promise Action
Local leaders, including County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, have vowed to crack down on landlords taking advantage of the crisis. “We will not allow people to be exploited in their time of need,” Horvath assured.
Despite government intervention, many displaced families remain in limbo, struggling to find affordable housing as winter approaches. The Palisades Fire left behind more than just physical destruction—it has created a humanitarian crisis that is testing the limits of compassion and justice in Los Angeles.
