Housing Reporter
Ethan Varian
Ethan Varian is a Bay Area News Group reporter covering housing for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. He was previously a housing and homelessness reporter at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in Sonoma County. His stories about housing, business and culture have been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and the Guardian US, among others. He graduated from Colorado College with a BA degree in history and the University of Southern California with an MS degree in journalism.
All Stories

Was Super Bowl LX an economic boon for the Bay Area?
Officials estimate the Big Game brought about $500 million to the region, but experts cast doubt on the eye-popping figure.

NTSB investigation: PG&E says crews attempted to alert residents before Hayward gas explosion
The preliminary report also found that a PG&E worker turned away firefighters responding to the leak.

As California delays ‘zone zero’ wildfire protection rules, study finds clearing vegetation prevented home damage in LA fires
The study found homes with less plant life within a 5-foot radius less likely to be destroyed.

Despite rate hikes, study finds California home insurance costs are middle of the pack nationwide
The states with the most expensive insurance are prone to hurricanes or tornadoes.

Newsom sues Trump administration to halt homeless housing funding cuts
State officials warn tens of thousands of formerly homeless Californians could end up back on the street.

New California laws aim to ease ongoing home insurance crisis
The state approved a package of laws this month to tackle its home insurance crisis.

Who’s winning the fundraising battle in California’s redistricting race?
On Nov. 4, Californians will vote on Newsom's gerrymandering proposal, which explicitly seeks to flip five House seats held by Republicans.

California now requires cities to inspect all local homeless shelters
Local governments that fail to comply with the new law could face funding cuts.

Will California scale back its core environmental protection law to build more housing?
Gov. Gavin Newsom has demanded that lawmakers reform the state's environmental regulations.

Can California’s largest retirement system handle Trump’s tariff turmoil?
Cities worry they may need to contribute even money to help cover rising public employee pensions.
