Steve Hilton accuses California governor opponent Xavier Beccera of making ‘the homelessness scandal worse’

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton accused his opponent, Xavier Becerra, of failing to collaborate on homelessness, saying the Democrat “makes the homelessness scandal worse.” Hilton, a Republican, unveiled his “Off the Streets and Back on Track” initiative at an Oct. 17 news conference at Sunbreak Ranch in San Diego County, outlining plans to clear homeless encampments statewide by the end of 2027.

“Homeless initiative reached out to Becerra. He was ‘too busy,’” Hilton wrote on social media. “Becerra’s done nothing his entire career but make the homelessness scandal worse. Now he’s too LAZY to support the people trying to fix it.”

In the same post, Hilton introduced the Sunbreak Ranch project in San Diego County as the prototype for his plan to combat homelessness. “Sunbreak Ranch is a fantastic plan: treatment, job training, and a way off the streets,” Hilton said. “I made the time for them. And as governor, they’ll help me END street homelessness in my first year.”

How the governor candidates will address the homeless crisis in California

Hilton, a former Fox News commentator endorsed by Donald Trump, plans to meet with mayors and county leaders in his first month as governor to set public deadlines for clearing encampments. Local officials would have until Labor Day 2027 to act, with a final statewide deadline of Dec. 31, 2027. “Leaving people to deteriorate in tents is a disgrace,” Hilton said in his campaign. “By the end of 2027, every encampment will be cleared, and Californians will have their sidewalks and parks back.”

The callout comes less than three weeks before California voters choose a successor to outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in the Nov. 3 midterms election. Homelessness is a major issue in the race, with both candidates promising to address the state’s longstanding crisis. According to a 2025 state housing assessment, California needs to plan for more than 2.5 million homes over the next eight-year cycle, with at least 1 million designated for lower-income households.

Becerra said on his website that he would enforce California’s Tenant Protection Act, including its cap on excessive rent increases, especially for those most at risk, including seniors, foster youth, and veterans. “We want to make sure that we help those who want to buy a house get in a house,” Becerra said at an April 22 gubernatorial debate. “Most Californians who are renting are essentially paying a monthly mortgage, except it’s called rent. I would convert them into homeowners by helping them with their down payment.”

Both candidates agreed that California’s current homelessness crisis constitutes a state emergency. They also emphasized that addressing addiction and mental health challenges remains essential in addressing the homelessness crisis. However, Hilton and Becerra have not provided detailed cost estimates or explained how they would finance the proposals.