During a recent debate, no Democratic candidate looking to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom rated his handling of homelessness lower than a “B-minus.” This drew scoffs from Republican attendees, who found such ratings laughable given the state’s ongoing challenges. Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, declared the situation an “F,” emphasizing that California has a disproportionate share of the nation’s homeless population.
This exchange pushed the Democratic candidates to reflect on the worsening crisis, which persists despite billions spent in an effort to tackle it. Interestingly, many avoided criticizing Newsom directly, likely due to his lack of endorsement for any of them.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter, usually critical, gave Newsom a “B” for his efforts. She acknowledged the complexity of the issues at play but applauded his acknowledgment of the problem. Billionaire candidate Tom Steyer offered up a “B-minus” assessment as well, sticking with a steady critique. In contrast, Xavier Becerra, another Democratic figure, felt the ratings were too low and suggested that Newsom deserved an “A” for his attempts, especially in Los Angeles where he claimed visible efforts to address the streets.
Statistics reveal that 161,400 individuals experienced homelessness in California during a single night in 2024, a figure that has risen since Newsom took office in 2019. At that time, the national homeless count was approximately 108,400, based on federal data. This ongoing crisis is compounded by high interest rates, which hinder funding efforts, even though the state has invested around $20 billion in homelessness initiatives from 2019 to 2025.
Republican candidate Chad Bianco has a stark view on the subject, declaring the situation an “abject failure.” He emphasizes that money isn’t the root of the problem, insisting that the underlying issues go beyond mere housing shortages. Bianco suggests that the elements of drug addiction and mental health need to be addressed directly rather than just focusing on homelessness as a label.
California’s gubernatorial primary is set for June 2nd, with the top two candidates moving forward to the general election on November 3rd, as stated by the Secretary of State’s office.
