In a shocking display of financial empathy, the homeowners association (HOA) of La Vina, a luxury gated community in Altadena, California, has decided that the best way to help residents rebuild their homes after the Eaton wildfire is by sending them a bill for $23,000. Because what's more comforting than being told you owe money on your burned-down house?
According to reports, the HOA gave residents a whopping 34 days (a mere month!) to pay up, because, as one can only assume, time is of the essence when it comes to financial obligations during a disaster. After all, who needs food or shelter when you have a $23,000 bill to worry about?
The lawsuit filed by the HOA against a resident whose home went up in flames is particularly innovative, as it seeks to foreclose on the empty lot, because what's the point of having a piece of land if you don't have to pay for it?
Residents are divided on the issue, with some describing the fee as "minimal" and others calling it "heartless." One resident, Ryan Harmon, was quoted in The Los Angeles Times as saying, "Who treats their friends and neighbors so heartlessly after the greatest catastrophe of their lives? Not every resident has $24,000 lying around months after their house burned." Um, yeah, because that's exactly what you said to your friend who lost their home: "Hey, don't worry about it, just pay us $23,000 and we'll consider it even."
When reached for comment, the HOA board, attorneys, and management company all seemed to be too busy collecting fees to respond. Because, clearly, there's no such thing as a crisis or an emergency when it comes to HOA fees.
The Eaton wildfire was one of the top three most damaging wildfires in state history, but let's be real, who needs relief from financial burdens when you can just charge people for their own rebuild?