In this episode of The Builder Nation Podcast, I sit down with developer Andrew Slocum, who has over 700 units in plan check across some of the most highly regulated and fire-impacted markets in Los Angeles County.

We break down what is actually happening on the ground after the Altadena and LA fires, how timelines have shifted, and what cities are doing right (and wrong) when it comes to rebuilding and adding desperately needed housing.

You’ll hear Andrew’s real-time experience working directly with LA County’s fire-rebuild “one stop shop” team, how planning corrections dropped from 18–24 months to as fast as six weeks, and why leadership and interdepartmental communication are the real bottlenecks—not just “red tape.”

We also dig into the human side of the housing crisis: homeowners turned renters overnight, insurance-funded bidding wars, and how former NIMBYs changed their tune when they suddenly had nowhere to live.

Later in the episode, Andrew and I dive into development strategy at scale, including: buying a dilapidated duplex and entitling it to 51 units under LA’s Executive Directive 1 (100% affordable streamlining), navigating new fire requirements, and structuring deals with equity partners who want to deploy capital into mission-driven affordable housing.

If you’re a builder, developer, or investor trying to figure out how to add units in California’s toughest markets, this episode is a must listen.

Thinking about building an ADU or need a team to manage your project properly? Visit: thebuildernation.com/partner

Follow Andrew Slocum

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aslocum/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewrslocum/
• Andrew’s Company: https://www.greendev.co/

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