Steve Hilton’s Plan to Address Homelessness in California

Steve Hilton, a Republican running for governor, introduced a comprehensive strategy today during a press event in San Diego aimed at eradicating all homeless encampments in California by the end of next year.

The proposed approach revolves around the establishment of Homeless Recovery Centers, taking cues from the Sunbreak Ranch project in San Diego County, according to his campaign team.

These centers are envisioned to offer essential services such as beds, meals, showers, medical and psychiatric care, drug rehabilitation, and job training. Campaign representatives indicated that each individual would be paired with a mentor to facilitate their transition to stable housing, ensuring ongoing support for those in need.

Hilton expressed, “No one is going to get their life back on track on the streets. We are going to get people off the streets and into places where they can actually get help.”

According to Hilton, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2025 report revealed there are 181,934 homeless individuals in California, with 115,583 of them living unsheltered. He criticized the nearly $24 billion the state has allocated for homelessness and housing in recent years, noting that state auditors found a lack of consistent tracking of expenditures and outcomes.

The candidate plans to engage with mayors and county officials within his first month in office to establish public timelines for clearing encampments. He suggests a deadline of Labor Day 2027 for local leaders, with a final goal of December 31, 2027, for all encampments to be resolved.

Additionally, Hilton intends to declare a state of emergency regarding homelessness to reduce permitting barriers, enforce camping bans once appropriate facilities are set up, and conduct audits of homelessness-related spending through what he’s calling Operation Zero Waste to redirect funds from ineffective programs.

If local authorities fail to act, Hilton has said he would ensure state intervention, asserting, “Leaving people to deteriorate in tents is a disgrace.” He concluded with confidence, stating, “By the end of 2027, every encampment will be cleared, and Californians will have their sidewalks and parks back.”

As of now, there has been no response from the campaign of Hilton’s opponent, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, regarding this announcement.