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87-year-old Eaton Fire survivor says contractor left him homeless, broke

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Peter Brown contracted Menu Homes to construct a wheelchair-accessible house within a year, paying an initial $538,000 and a subsequent $90,000. Despite passing the original completion deadline, representative Bobby Shokri cited county permitting issues and an expanded scope of work to justify demanding an additional $51,000. Altadena Town Council members contested these claims, noting that Los Angeles County waived permit fees and that state rules mandate fixed-price contracts for disaster recovery. Brown is currently forced to pay $2,500 monthly in rent while relying on a GoFundMe campaign to cover basic living expenses.

Key points

  • Local council members noted that Los Angeles County streamlined procedures and waived per…: Local council members noted that Los Angeles County streamlined procedures and waived permit fees, contradicting the builder's defense for project delays.
  • Contractors State License Board regulations require fixed-price contracts for disaster re…: Contractors State License Board regulations require fixed-price contracts for disaster recovery projects to protect vulnerable homeowners from sudden cost increases.
  • The financial dispute has completely depleted the disabled veteran's savings, leaving his…: The financial dispute has completely depleted the disabled veteran's savings, leaving his replacement home inaccessible past the agreed completion deadline.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

An 87-year-old disabled California wildfire survivor says a dispute with a contractor rebuilding his home has left him homeless and financially drained, months after losing his house in the devastating Eaton Fire. Peter Brown, an Army veteran from Altadena, Los Angeles County, claims he has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars towards rebuilding his wheelchair-accessible home, only to be told that he needs to pay another $51,000 to get the project completed.

Brown lost his home in the 2025 Eaton Fire, one of two major wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles County and displaced an estimated 205,000 people in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Hoping to return to a safe and accessible home, he hired modular home building company Menu Homes to construct a replacement within a year.

According to Brown, he paid the company $538,000 for the project but eventually had to shell out another $90,000 in additional costs. Despite the extra payment, he says the contractor is now demanding another $51,000 to finish the house.

"I've run out of money. He's drained me. I just don't have the…

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