(NewsNation) — A year has passed since massive wildfires tore through southern California, leaving at least 30 dead and destroying thousands of homes, and some of the biggest challenges homeowners are still facing is insurance.
Altadena, California, homeowner Andrew King is one of the thousands who lost everything.
“At the end of the day, it really comes down to money, whether it’s trying to remediate your home, whether it’s trying to rebuild, a lot of folks still don’t have enough money,” King told NewsNation’s “Morning in America with Hena Doba.” “The reality is I would rather be spending my time playing with my kids or hanging out with family. Instead, I’m finding that I’m spending most of my time trying to negotiate with insurance.”
King left his job as a high school principal in April to help rebuild his community. His organization, Department of Angels, founded in the aftermath of the fires, recently discovered that nearly two-thirds of affected homeowners are reporting six-figure losses. Nearly half have gone through their entire savings as they’re fighting to rebuild.
“The reality is people are choosing to cut back on food for themselves because they’re trying to prioritize trying to get back home versus their own livelihoods. They’re not going to the doctor because it really is a zero-sum situation,” King said. “They’re really hoping that in some way, either the government will step in and help provide more relief or that insurance companies will finally give them what they’re due.”
King met with lawmakers, including Governor Newsom, this week.
“It is okay to kind of live in both worlds of being both angry and frustrated about the situation and the situation that’s been forced upon you. But it’s also okay to be happy and joyful at the community you found,” King said.
