State board hears modular housing as fast option to rebuild wildfire-hit neighborhoods

At an informational hearing July 29, 2025, the State Board of Equalization heard experts and local leaders describe how modular homes and accessory dwelling units could speed rebuilding in wildfire‑struck communities and lower the cost of recovery. Board Member Tony Vasquez said the board should use the hearing to identify statutory and administrative fixes that would reduce rebuild timelines and costs.

Modular construction ‘‘is significantly less expensive and much more time efficient than traditional construction,’’ Board Member Tony Vasquez said. Witnesses described factory production, shorter site build time and standardized designs that could let homeowners return faster after a disaster.

The hearing focused on recent wildfires in Los Angeles County and the permitting, insurance and inspection barriers that speakers said keep many families from rebuilding. Bea Stotzer, founder and board chair of New Economics for Women, said 7,448 homes were lost in the unincorporated Altadena area and that 1,326 permit applications had been filed; of those, 134 building permits had been issued and only 15…