Ben Christopher • CalMatters, Author at Times of San Diego

A calm, middle-aged man sits at a desk in a bright office, surrounded by a computer, bookshelves, framed art, and large windows.

How do you get a housing permit in California? He can hook you up, for a fee

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters Sept. 26, 2026, 9:00 a.m.Sept. 24, 2026, 12:47 p.m.

With state laws aimed at fighting the housing shortage, will the humble permit expediter profession survive?

A construction worker in a hard hat walks past a parked white car and a crane arm with a hook, in front of an under-construction building.

Almost nowhere in California is building enough, according to the state. Here’s why

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters Aug. 15, 2026, 12:00 p.m.Aug. 13, 2026, 1:54 p.m.

Propuesta de salario mínimo de $28 para trabajadores de la construcción en California queda descartada tras oposición sindical

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters June 29, 2026, 10:12 a.m.June 29, 2026, 10:12 a.m.

A $28 minimum wage for California construction workers is dead — killed by construction workers

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters June 27, 2026, 1:00 p.m.June 29, 2026, 10:14 a.m.

Un proyecto de ley estatal de vivienda elevaría salarios a $28 por hora — entonces, ¿por qué algunos sindicatos lo detestan?

by Alejandro Maciel • Tiempos de San Diego and Ben Christopher • CalMatters June 8, 2026, 11:25 a.m.June 8, 2026, 11:25 a.m.

A state housing bill would raise wages to $28 — so why do some unions hate it?

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters June 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m.June 8, 2026, 11:27 a.m.

Two men stand side by side, each speaking passionately. The man on the left wears glasses and a dark suit, while the man on the right is bald, in a suit with an open collar shirt.

Cinco cosas que debes saber sobre las elecciones de California, del Congreso a la carrera por la gobernación

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters June 4, 2026, 4:18 p.m.June 4, 2026, 4:18 p.m.

The federal housing bill is the largest passed in a generation. Construction site under a blue sky with fluffy clouds, showing wooden frames of a building. A worker in an orange vest stands on the structure.

Governor YIMBY: In California’s unsettled race, most candidates see eye-to-eye on housing

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters May 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m.May 12, 2026, 2:02 p.m.

Classic building with tall columns and intricate sculptures on the facade, framed by lush green trees, under a clear blue sky.

In the six-way race to be California’s treasurer, it likely comes down to two Democrats

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters May 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.May 5, 2026, 1:36 p.m.

A large, ornate government assembly room with people at desks, green drapes, chandeliers, and white columns.

A plan to cut a state tax is going to voters. Why LA’s ‘mansion tax’ is at the center of it

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters April 22, 2026, 1:46 p.m.April 23, 2026, 2:25 p.m.

Adam Hardesty at his home in Carlsbad on Feb. 19, 2025. Hardesty converted the garage of his three-story condo into a ground-floor apartment despite opposition from his own Homeowners Association. (File photo by Adriana Heldiz/CalMatters)

Carlsbad HOA triumphs over ADU law

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters April 7, 2026, 3:15 p.m.April 13, 2026, 1:48 p.m.

A beam of sunlight is cast on a new building with a construction fence around the street-level perimeter. It's a factory-built structure intended to become housing.

Factory-built housing can be found in San Diego. But region and state may be ready to get really ‘modular curious’

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters Feb. 28, 2026, 8:49 p.m.Feb. 28, 2026, 8:49 p.m.

A hardwood floor on a staircase with white railings leading downstairs.

Life

Could ‘single-stair reform’ come to San Diego? It may be the key to an apartment building boom

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters Nov. 22, 2025, 6:27 p.m.Nov. 22, 2025, 7:10 p.m.

Colorful two-story townhouses with large windows and red-tiled roofs, along a residential street.

How bad is California’s housing shortage? It depends on who’s doing the counting

by Ben Christopher • CalMatters Sept. 29, 2025, 8:36 a.m.Sept. 29, 2025, 8:36 a.m.