Over the past few weeks, something interesting has been happening.
As we’ve shared the stories of the homes arriving on Poppyfields Drive, Calaveras Street, and La Venezia Court in Altadena, more people have been reaching out to me with questions.
Some have asked if they can donate a house.
Others have asked how they might receive a relocated home on their property.
I love that! ❤️
To me, that means people are beginning to see what is possible.
For a long time, house relocation has felt like something hidden in the background. A very complicated process that only a few people knew how to navigate. But when you see an old house carefully lifted from a truck, carried over a wall, and set down to begin a new chapter, something shifts. People begin to imagine another path.
Instead of demolition, maybe the house can be saved.
Instead of starting from scratch, maybe a beautiful old structure can begin again somewhere new.
Instead of losing architectural character, maybe it can be preserved and carried forward.
That is exactly why I created a new inquiry page on HouseRelocation.LA.
A clearer place to begin
As more people started asking how this works, I realized the website needed a better starting point.
So I created a page for people who want to explore house relocation from either side of the process:
- people who may have a house to offer for relocation
- people who want to apply to receive a relocated house
The new page is here to make that first step easier.
If you have a house that may need to be removed, there may be an alternative to demolition.
And if you own property and want to explore whether a relocated house could be the right fit, there is now a clearer starting point.
Why this matters
One of the things I love most about this work is that it sits at the intersection of preservation, problem-solving, and possibility.
A house relocation project is never simple. There are always permits, route logistics, site constraints, structural questions, timing issues, and a mountain of details to work through.
But even with all of that, I believe these projects matter.
They matter because old homes still matter.
They matter because craftsmanship still matters.
They matter because communities benefit when beautiful structures are given the chance to live on.
And they matter because sometimes the right house and the right property can come together to create something that would not have existed otherwise.
Two paths forward
The new inquiry page is designed to help visitors choose the path that best fits them.
Offer a House for Relocation
If you own, represent, or manage a property with a house that may need to be removed, this is where to start.
Not every structure is a good candidate for relocation, but some are. In the right situation, a house with character, history, or strong bones may be able to begin a new life somewhere else.
Apply to Receive a Relocated House
If you own or control a property and want to explore whether a relocated home could work on your site, this is the place to begin that conversation.
Receiving a relocated house is an incredible opportunity, but it also requires realistic planning, permitting, site preparation, foundation work, and patience.
That is why the first step is an inquiry.
What I hope this page does
My hope is simple.
I want this new page to help more people understand that relocating a house is possible.
Not easy.
Not automatic.
But possible.
I want it to give people a clearer path to ask questions, share opportunities, and begin exploring whether a project might be feasible.
And I want it to help connect people whose houses may be saved with the people and properties that may be ready to receive them.
If this work continues to grow, I believe we will see even more opportunities to preserve beautiful homes, support thoughtful rebuilding, and keep architectural character alive in our communities.
Start here
If you’ve been wondering whether a house can be donated, relocated, or received, the new inquiry page is now live:
From there, you can choose the path that best fits your situation:
Thank you for following along with these stories and this work.
The story of house relocation in Altadena is still being written.
And I have a feeling we’re just getting started.
Cheers!
Alan Pinel
(213) 841-9988