A Faster Path to Rebuilding After Disaster

This week at the eWomen Conference, I learned about a nonprofit that really struck a chord with me: the Foothill Catalog Foundation. It was started by a husband-and-wife architect team who literally watched from across the road as their neighbors lost everything in the Altadena fires. Instead of standing by, they came up with a solution that could change the way communities rebuild.

One thing I’ve seen again and again in my own industry is that building projects always take longer than people expect. Even under normal circumstances, the design and permitting process can add weeks—or more often, months—to a project timeline. Now imagine layering that delay on top of a natural disaster, when families are desperate to get back into their homes. The gap between losing your house and rebuilding it can feel endless.

That’s where this couple’s idea shines. They originally designed three “catalog” homes that are already pre-permitted by the county... the catalog is now up to 17 models! That means homeowners who lost their houses don’t have to start from scratch—they can pick from one of these thoughtfully designed homes and move through the rebuilding process much faster.

What I love is that these homes aren’t cookie-cutter. They reflect the original architectural character of the neighborhood, while also incorporating fire-resistant materials and safer building practices. So instead of being stuck in permitting limbo, families can focus on what matters: reclaiming their lives and returning to a community they love.

I think it’s such an inspiring reminder of how design can meet people where they are—in this case, not just creating beautiful spaces, but creating a pathway home when people need it most.

If you want to learn more, check out foothillcatalog.org.