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The Pasadena Star-News | Thu 01/09 04:02pm PST | Sandra Barrera
Priority one: Get away from the fire.
Priority two: Find safe shelter.
That’s the choice Altadena resident Karen Dekker faced as she packed her 87-year-old mother, 15-year-old son and two German shepherds into the car and fled the Eaton fire the night of Tuesday, Jan. 7.
“I went online and Googled pet-friendly hotels, calling and calling until I got one that had a spot available. We had to go out to Pomona to find a pet-friendly hotel,” said Dekker, an elementary public school teacher who booked a few nights at La Quinta by Wyndham, which she has for another night.
Short-term lodging is tenuous for those who find themselves displaced or forced to evacuate because of the wildfires ravaging Southern California. But options are available — and there have been many more in the days since the fires first ignited. From Airbnb to more than 70 hotels across Greater Los Angeles and beyond, free and discounted accommodations are available.
More recently the California Rental Housing Association (CalRHA) has put out a call to its 15,000-plus members for both short- and long-term options.
Wildfires have put a strain on California’s already tight housing supply. But many have stepped up, including Airbnb.org.
The nonprofit organization, dedicated to temporarily housing people in crisis worldwide, recently partnered with 211 LA, to offer emergency housing on Airbnb and its host’s dime by filling out a form with the LA helpline.
Callers beware: The notice posted on 211la.org that reads “wait times for a response will be long” is no exaggeration.
Brian Chesky, the founder and CEO of Airbnb, announced on Friday, January 10, that Airbnb.org would provide free emergency housing to an additional 25,000 people affected by the wildfires, including survivors, evacuees, first responders and firefighters.
“The situation is devastating, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to support the Los Angeles community,” he said in the announcement.
Dekker learned on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 8 that the fire had destroyed his house.
While she figures out her next move, she is also searching for temporary housing near Pasadena where he son attends high school. For those who find themselves in a similar situation, the growing list of resources now includes CalRHA’s recently launched SoCal Fires Housing.
The platform serves as a one-stop hub, offering an inventory of accommodations provided by CalRHA’s statewide affiliates, representing small to large rental properties.
“While we are doing everything we can to ease the burden on those who lost their homes, CalRHA’s long-term goals remain focused on increasing the overall housing supply and advocating for policies that will remove barriers that impede the rehabilitation and construction of new housing, “said Adam Pearce, CalRHA president in a press release. “We’re working hand-in-hand with government officials to streamline these efforts and meet the immediate housing needs of fire victims while promoting lasting solutions to bolster housing availability statewide.”
The site also links to CalRHA’s regional affiliate, the Apartment Associate of Greater Los Angeles , for available untils in the LA area. To sign up, visit www.socalfireshousing.org .
Here are some additional resources:
Discounted hotels, lodges and short-term rentals
Hotel Association of Los Angeles has compiled a public document of more than 250 Los Angeles hotels offering discounts and necessities, including toiletries. Some are taking in pets. And some are located outside the area, which may be ideal for those looking to temporarily escape the poor air quality.
“As of right now, we are fortunate that our air quality is still good and holding,” said Caitlin Smith, hotel manager at the Ponte Vineyard Inn .
The Temecula wine country hotel offers a 20% discount on standard room rates . A standard king room that costs $269, plus tax, on a Wednesday would run $215, plus tax. The biggest saving comes on Fridays and Saturdays, when the same room costs $500, plus tax. With the discount, it’s $350, plus tax.
“We want to be a nice reprieve for anyone wanting to get out the LA area and making sure their safety is No. 1,” Smith said. “If our hotel can make a small gesture of offering a discount, we’d love it.”
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is opening its doors to wildfire evacuees, with room rates starting at $159 a night that includes hot springs passes for two adults using the code evacjan .
Visit Laguna Beach has partnered with several hotels in the city to offer discounted accommodations. Go to visitlagunabeach.com where you’ll find the link to special rates at the top of the page.
Visit Long Beach ‘s list of hotels offering emergency relief to fire evacuations includes the Queen Mary. The floating hotel is offering a discounted rate of $189 each night for fire evacuees and their pets. Use the code STAYSAFE to book at the rate.
The offer includes breakfast for two each day of the stay, along with fees for pets and historic preservation waived. Visitlongbeach.com links to other hotels halfway down the page.
Visit Big Bear has partnered with local lodges to offer discounts on temporary housing and a tasty bonus: up to four $25 food vouchers to restaurants in Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski resorts.
To redeem the vouchers, just present your reservation for ZEN House Big Bear Lake, Bear Creek Resort or any other participating lodge in person at the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center at 40824 Big Bear Boulevard. For a list of participating lodges, go to bigbear.com where you’ll find the link at the top of the page.
Oliver Hospitality is offering free stays for up to five nights, along with significantly discounted rates starting on night six, at its California properties to those who have lost their homes or forced to evacuate because of the fires. This includes the Station House Inn in South Lake Tahoe and the Lodge at Marconi on Tomales Bay.
To make a reservation, please call the hotels directly at 530-542-1101 and 415-663-9020, respectively. Proof of address or an evacuation notice will be required.
AvantStay.com is also offering discounts on homes throughout Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara to Coachella Valley, that are family and pet friendly. To book housing, email reservations@avantstay.com.
The Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach is offering discounted room rates and waiving its resort and pet fees. To book a stay, call 855-622-2472.
Through the end of February, boutique hotelier Casetta is offering 35% off stays, complimentary parking and waiving pet fees at Casa Cody in Palm Springs, The Pearl Hotel in San Diego and Hotel Marina Riviera in Big Bear on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each of Hotel Marina Riviera’s two-bedroom cabins accommodate up to six people and includes a queen bed, sleeper sofa, fully equipped kitchens and dining table.
To book a stay at these Casetta accommodations, email info@casetta.com. Guests must provide proof of residency.
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