What happens when a developer goes head-to-head with California’s most powerful cities, unions, and politicians?

In this episode of The Group CRE, Taylor Avakian sits down with Leo Pustilnikov — one of the most controversial and influential developers in California’s housing landscape. Leo has become a central figure in the statewide housing reform battle, pushing projects forward using tools like the Builder’s Remedy, SB 9, SB 35, Density Bonus Law, and other pro-housing policies that force cities to comply with state law.

Leo breaks down the political fights behind the scenes, how cities illegally block projects, what developers must understand about CEQA and entitlement strategy, and why California’s housing shortage is by design. This episode dives deep into corruption, NIMBY power, union pressure, lawsuits, and the future of LA housing — straight from someone who has been in the center of it.

You’ll learn:

- Why California cities block housing and how state law overrides them

- How the Builder’s Remedy actually works (and why it’s so powerful)

- The truth behind local corruption, CEQA abuse, and political retaliation

- Why small and mid-sized developers abandon California

- How Leo navigates union pressure, lawsuits, and city pushback

- What it will take for California to ever meet housing demand

- How to survive entitlement warfare and regulatory resistance

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Connect with Leo Pustilnikov

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