The combination of the resistance to low-income housing and the destruction of rent-controlled apartments could spell the end of whatever income diversity existed in the Palisades prior to the fires, says Anthony Orlando, associate professor of finance, real estate and law. His research has found that natural disasters lead to higher rents for years. “If you want people to live there who are not able to afford million-dollar or more properties, you have to have some sort of rent restriction in place,” he says.

This article was originally published by the Los Angeles Times on March 3, 2025.