23% of LA County residents consider moving after devastating fires
Share and Follow

A recent poll revealed that almost 25% of the population of Los Angeles County is contemplating relocating following the devastating wildfires in January. The survey also indicated that over 30% of residents lack faith in Mayor Karen Bass’ ability to lead effectively.

The poll, conducted by the University of California Berkeley and sponsored by the LA Times, found that 23% of respondents are “considering” a move, and 9% are “seriously considering” one specifically because of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which wiped out thousands of homes and forced 200,000 people to evacuate.

Forty-one percent of respondents believe Mayor Karen Bass did a “poor” or “very poor” job during the fires, and 36% have “not much confidence” in her ability to help the city recover.

The poll surveyed 5,184 people in both English and Spanish.

Although fire victims could wait up to 18 months before they can begin rebuilding, the poll suggests the number of people weighing an exit is much higher than people who actually lost their homes.

While the fires destroyed or heavily damaged nearly 13,000 houses, that is only 0.004% of total housing units in the county of roughly 10 million people, according to the most recent census data.

Conservative Angelenos were most likely to leave. Forty percent of “strongly conservative” and 28% of “somewhat conservative” respondents are considering relocation.

Regardless of politics, the fires took a major mental toll on the people of Los Angeles.

Around one-third of respondents said they had experienced high anxiety during the fires, and less than 10% of people who are considering a move have a “great deal” of faith in LA’s ability to recover.

Those satisfaction numbers came after a dismal performance by state and local officials as the wildfires chewed $250 billion worth of property and infrastructure.

Many Angelenos also have little faith in Gov. Gavin Newsom, but he faired better in the poll than his fellow Democrat Bass.

Although nearly a third of respondents said Newsom did a “poor” or “very poor” job during the fires, 35% said he did a “good” or “excellent” job.

Only 13% and 6%, respectively, said the same of the mayor.

As people are eager to leave, the ones who stay are paying more for the privilege.

Recent data from ApartmentList.com showed that Los Angeles rents are increasing at double the normal rate. In the month after the fires, the state attorney general’s office sent more than 700 warning letters to landlords and hotels suspected of price gouging.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
COPA responding to Chicago police shooting at 111th, State in Roseland; man shot, CFD says

COPA Investigates Chicago Police Shooting Incident at 111th and State in Roseland; Man Injured, Fire Department Reports

CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a Chicago police shooting on the Far…
D4vd transfers homes to his mom amid investigation into teen's death

D4vd Signs Over Property to His Mother During Teen Death Investigation

The embattled singer D4vd is shaking up his real estate holdings amid…
Sora AI is the hottest new social media app — and people are buying invites off eBay

The Latest Craze: Sora AI Social Media App Invites Selling on eBay

The Sora AI video generator is making headlines — not just for…
Uproar as UN elects China and Iran to Human Rights Council positions: ‘Without shame’

Uproar as UN elects China and Iran to Human Rights Council positions: ‘Without shame’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The United Nations Human…
David Del Rio fired from 'Matlock' amid sexual assault allegations: Reports

David Del Rio Removed from ‘Matlock’ Over Sexual Assault Allegations: Reports

Del Rio was allegedly escorted off the ‘Matlock’ set during filming in…
Special Report: Grand jury indicts N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James

Breaking News: N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James Indicted by Grand Jury

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
Multiple people feared dead after explosion at Tennessee bomb factory

Several Individuals Feared Dead Following Blast at Tennessee Explosives Facility

Multiple people are dead after a massive explosion erupted at a Tennessee bomb factory early…
New York Attorney General Letitia James indicted on fraud charge

Fraud Charges Brought Against New York Attorney General Letitia James

In a lengthy statement, James decried the indictment as “nothing more than…