MALIBU, Calif. – The first house to be rebuilt in the city of Malibu since the Woolsey fire is almost ready.

In 2018 there were 473 homes that burned in the Woolsey fire in Malibu; 48 homes are currently still being rebuilt.

Every step of the way Yolanda Bundy has been nearby. She is a building official for the city. What this means is she is a guardian angel for everyone who lost their home.

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“She’s the most amazing woman ever. We have been so blessed,” said homeowner Laurie Brennan, one of the fire victims in Malibu.

Brennan’s home burned to the ground. She chose to rebuild. Thanks to a lot of work she is planning to move back in soon. Bundy helped push the process along. It would normally take years to get all the permits lined up, but Brennan’s home construction just started in June.

“I am very, very blessed. I do things with my heart and compassion and I want that light transmitted to everybody that I meet. To me, my role as building official is a mission in life,” said Bundy.

Bundy’s parents both only had a first grade education. She is a registered civil engineer.

 

 

 

When the Thomas fire started Bundy was working for the city of Ventura as the chief building official. Pioneering the rebuild process there prepared her for the position in Malibu.

She was hired by the city of Malibu three months ago. In that time the city received 86 applications to rebuild single family homes. That’s more than three-quarters of all the applications they got last year.

Bundy has held town halls and outright cold called fire damaged homeowners who haven’t submitted any paperwork to encourage them.

“Through this process you tend to create a lot of relationships and be part of the human portion of rebuilding and recovery,” said Bundy.

Bundy is spreading the word that fire victims with hopes of building should act fast.

Planning applications must be submitted by November 8, 2020 to take advantage of the city council ordinance for expedited review.