Rebuilding and restoring communities

We are a local nonprofit of building professionals creating a more streamlined path for LA residents to rebuild.

The Catalog

Open book with a 2-page spread showing architectural designs

The Foothill Catalog is a collection of pre-approved home designs for displaced residents to rebuild quickly and affordably, while retaining their community identity and local architectural character.

La Solana

1,635 sq ft, 3 bd / 2 ba
The Lexington

1,722 sq ft, 3 bd / 2 ba
The Billy

1,290 sq ft, 2 bd / 2 ba
The Cromwell

1,960 sq ft, 4 bd / 2.5 ba
The Alice

1,498 sq ft, 4 bd / 2 ba
The Elizabeth

1,600 sq ft, 3 bd / 2 ba

View the Full Catalog

We help families get home in as little as 8-12 months from start to finish.

And we’re here for you every step of the way.

Rebuilding Path Comparison

for an example 1500 SF home in Altadena, CA

	Foothill Catalog	Typical Build
Time to Move-In	8–12 months	2–3 years+
Permit Timeline	4–6 weeks	6–12 months
Construction Cost	$635K – $690K	$850K – $1M+
Architect Cost	$7.5K*	$60K – $120K+
Project Support	End-to-end	Variable
Design Quality	Contextual & community driven	Variable
Fire Resilience	Integrated	Adds scope/cost

*Based on Fire Survivor Licensing rate

Estimates based on recent Altadena projects. Costs and timelines may vary.

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Our Process

OUR STORY

Vintage advertisements for the Sears Catalog home program, picturing many home options

The Catalog: a 100-year old idea revamped for the modern era

Modeled off of the Sears Catalog Homes popularized in the early 1900s, the Foothill Catalog features varied home designs tailored to local architectural styles, whether in Altadena or the Pacific Palisades.

Our modern day Catalog offers architectural variety while maintaining predictability, which translates to peace of mind and significant cost savings for fire survivors.

From concept to completed

Ken Wood holding up an elevation render of the Lewis

The Wood Family

June 2025

Carol and Ken Wood enter their new home for the first time - look of delight.

March 2026

Our design "The Lewis" was the first pre-approved, single-family home in modern Los Angeles County history.

The first Foothill Catalog home - the "Lewis II" - was built in partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity for the Wood Family. Construction began in October 2025 and we welcomed the Woods home in March 2026!

Sketched - February 2025

The official front elevation render of the Lewis

Pre-approved - June 2025

The front of the first completed Lewis in Altadena

Built - March 2026

YOUR REBUILD ROADMAP

1

Phase 1 · 1–4 weeks

Find the perfect plan

You shouldn't have to start from scratch. A pre-designed home isn't a shortcut — it's a head start. Every plan in the Catalog has already cleared the hardest hurdles: the design work, the permitting, the code compliance. What's left is making it yours.

Meet with our team — Schedule a one-on-one consultation to explore the Catalog and discover your options.
See it on your lot — We help you visualize the design on your actual property to ensure the right fit.
Intent to proceed — When you're ready, a deposit moves us into the bidding phase.

Browse the Catalog

2

Phase 2 · 4–8 weeks

Get ready to build

After a disaster, contractors who cut corners — or disappear — are a real risk. We only work with licensed, experienced builders. We make the introduction when requested — you choose the builder you trust.

Peace of mind — Bids cover everything: surveys, grading, foundations to finishes. No surprises later.
Flat-rate licensing — $5/sq ft to use a pre-approved plan for fire-survivors. A custom architect runs $50K–$120K.
Permit-ready plans — Because our designs are pre-approved, permits can be issued in as few as 15 days.

Learn about the process

3

Phase 3 · 8–12 months

Rediscover home

The hardest part is behind you. Now it's about what comes next — a home built to current codes, finished the way you want it, that feels like yours from the moment you walk in. We stay involved throughout construction and walk the path home with you.

Make it yours — From exterior trim to bathroom tile, reference our curated packages as much or as little as you prefer.
Break ground — Your builder knows these plans. Fewer surprises, faster build. We check in regularly and stay involved until the job is done.
Welcome home — Final inspections cleared and you're all ready to move in!

See the results

TESTIMONIALS

“When I saw the sketches and floor plans of the Spanish / Mediterranean, I burst into tears in the middle of the T-Mobile Store. It finally feels like rebuilding might be doable.”

“To summarize what the Foothill Catalog Foundation has provided to our family is peace of mind. It is a comfort to have the Foothill Catalog leading us on this rebuild journey. They have guided us through each step, listened to our unique property needs, provided us with lists of vetted resources/professionals and provided us with an affordable rebuild option that is reminiscent of the special house we lost. We are truly appreciative of all their support.”

“I cannot thank you enough for being the beacon that you are to shepherd so many on this journey back to Altadena. You have my eternal thanks!”

“We have chosen a TFCF design because it fits within the character of Altadena, balances comfort, practicality, and value, and its pre-approved status expedites the rebuilding process. The TFCF team has repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to helping us and the Altadena community with a successful rebuild.”

“Foothill Catalog did more than design my new home and streamline the permitting process. They gained my trust with their in-house talent, professionalism, and the services they provide beyond the building itself. That included connections to contractors, providing an interior design palette unique to my Spanish Revival home, and working closely with my contractor for a smooth handoff to the next step.”

OUR DESIGN PROCESS

The Foothill Catalog is a collective design effort, placing the community’s voice at the forefront.

People examining architectural blueprints and designs at an indoor event, with some people standing and talking near a doorway with a 'Refreshments' sign outside.

Starting in 2025 in Altadena, we developed the Catalog based on the community's needs through a series of workshops, town halls, and open houses.

Two women discussing a large poster display on a wall with various images and papers about a house design project.

We collaborated with experts across the building industry to develop design criteria that enhance each standard plan by incorporating best practices around resiliency, affordability, and approaches to preserving architectural character.

A group of eight people sitting around a wooden table in a conference room, with a man standing and speaking. There are papers, water bottles, and a backpack on the table. A whiteboard with sticky notes and the word 'CHARACTER' is in the background.

We continue to add new designs to the Catalog and seek community feedback.
We are actively expanding our Pacific Palisades offerings to meet the area’s unique needs and historical styles.

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