On East Pine Street in West Altadena, Tiprin Mandalay Follett stands on a cleared lot that she has known for most of her life. It once held 14 affordable rentals, arranged within a charming bungalow court. After managing this property for decades, her family then purchased it 20 years ago, becoming the landlord and supporting Altadena residents with affordable rates. “Our kids grew up playing here,” Follett says. “Our tenants have been here forever.”
Tiprin Mandalay Follett stands on her family’s property in West Altadena after the Eaton Fire. Photo by Molly O’Keeffe.
The property was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and in the wake of the disaster, Follett’s family decided to let the property go. But rather than selling the property to an outside developer, they’re putting it in the hands of the community. Soon, the apartments will be reconstructed as 14 units, built and operated by local nonprofit Beacon Housing, and guaranteed to be affordable for the next 55 years.
The project began with a chance meeting at the Eaton Fire Collaborative between Follett and Beacon Housing Executive Director, Palin Ngaotheppitak.
“Tipran said to me, ‘I’m interested in preserving affordable housing, but I’d like to sell,’ Ngaotheppitak says. “I called Candice Kim at the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF) and told her, ‘I’ve got this crazy project. Would you be willing to hear us out?’ And they were.”
From left to right: ABBF Executive Director Jennifer DeVoll, ABBF donor/partner Molly Munger, Beacon Housing Executive Director Palin Ngaotheppitak, and Tiprin Mandalay Follett converse during a visit to the lot in October 2025. Photo by Molly O’Keeffe.
Beacon Housing Executive Director, Palin Ngaotheppitak, and Tiprin Mandalay Follett at the site of Beacon Housing’s reconstruction of the bungalow court. Photo by Molly O’Keeffe.
Based out of the Pasadena Community Foundation, ABBF is committed to supporting the long-term rebuilding of Altadena’s housing following the Eaton Fire. After meeting with Ngaotheppitak, ABBF Project Director Candice Kim quickly embraced the idea, seeing Beacon Housing as the perfect partner. “We start with people who know our community the best, and that’s why we went with Beacon Housing,” says Kim. “They’re a hyper-local nonprofit with a long track record of building community-centered affordable housing right here in Altadena.”
This trusted relationship resulted in the Altadena Builds Back Foundation granting $5.85 million to the project in partnership with ABBF partner Molly Munger. Watch video about the project.
This project is compelling because it represents resilience and equity. It represents Altadena the way it always was and creates an opportunity to make that happen again.
molly munger, ABBF partner
Altadena’s supply of rental housing was devastated by the Eaton Fire. According to the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, more than three-quarters of the city’s multifamily units were destroyed. And a July survey by the Eaton Fire Collaborative found that 72% of renters are still in need of housing. To maintain the character, diversity, and affordability of Altadena, it’s critical that the rebuilding effort prioritize affordable rental housing.
Left to right: ABBF Executive Director Jennifer DeVoll, ABBF Project Director Candice Kim, and Beacon Housing Executive Director Palin Ngaotheppitak discuss the rebuild plan for bungalow court. Photo by Molly O’Keeffe.
The new affordable units are an important step in that direction, one that local Altadena residents, funders, and nonprofits are taking in partnership.
“We are building the future of Altadena together, brick by brick and unit by unit,” says Jennifer DeVoll, Executive Director of ABBF. “The 14 affordable housing units under construction are a perfect example of what that collaboration can look like. All of us – renters and homeowners, community members and leaders, philanthropy and nonprofits – have a role in that re-creation and a voice in what kind of future it will be.”
Looking over the lot on East Pine Street, Follett can see what it was and what it will become – new rental units that will provide affordable housing to generations of Altadena residents. She’s glad she decided to keep the property affordable and in community hands. And she hopes that if others who own multifamily buildings decide to sell, they make the same choice.
I hope other owners will take this as a sign they can do it, too. We need these homes for people. Affordable housing is something that we’ve had in Altadena forever.
tiprin mandalay follett, former owner of the bungalow court property
We believe strong communities thrive when philanthropy tackles real needs. To create lasting impact in Greater Pasadena, we focus on six key areas that that drive opportunity, build resilience, and improve well-being.
Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) is proud to announce the establishment of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF). This supporting organization of PCF has been formed to focus on the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Altadena, which was disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire. ABBF has secured $55 million from generous donors to support its efforts. […]
This milestone investment marks the largest grant ever distributed from a PCF fund to date and represents an important step in long-term recovery efforts for Altadena residents impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire.
Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) is proud to announce the establishment of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF). This supporting organization of PCF has been formed to focus on the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Altadena, which was disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire. ABBF has secured $55 million from generous donors to support its efforts. […]
This milestone investment marks the largest grant ever distributed from a PCF fund to date and represents an important step in long-term recovery efforts for Altadena residents impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire.
