The destructive Los Angeles wildfires have left tens of thousands of families scrambling to find housing in an unaffordable and competitive rental market. Now, reports of landlords illegally hiking rental prices and other predatory practices are spurring a massive community response.

Renee Weitzer, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, lost the Sunset Mesa home she shared with her 88-year-old husband, Ed. They escaped the approaching wildfire with their medication, some important papers, their dog and a single change of clothing, thinking they would quickly return home.