Steve Hilton laid out a four-point plan aimed at addressing California’s ongoing homeless crisis, focusing on fraud prevention, law enforcement, treatment access, and accountability from state leadership.
Hilton said the current conditions facing homeless individuals across the state are unacceptable and would never be tolerated for family members or loved ones.
“We would never allow someone, never tolerate someone we love, to live in the conditions we see all over our state,” Hilton said.
“So why should we accept it? For anyone else? I won’t accept it.”
Hilton said his proposal centers on four specific actions, beginning with addressing misuse of funds within the homeless assistance system.
“Here’s my plan, four points,” he said.
“Number one, we have to stop the fraud. The fraud in the homeless system is stealing from the people who need our help.”
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Hilton said enforcement of existing laws is the second major component, arguing that failure to do so has contributed to the spread of encampments throughout California communities.
“Number two, we have to enforce the law,” Hilton said.
“It is illegal to camp on the streets. If local leaders won’t enforce the law, as governor, I will make sure from the state level that we do.”
He said enforcement must be paired with access to treatment, particularly for individuals struggling with addiction or mental illness.
“After that, we need to get people into the treatment that they need,” Hilton said.
Hilton sharply criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for vetoing legislation related to sober housing, calling the decision harmful to those seeking recovery.
“It is shameful that Gavin Newsom just vetoed a sober housing bill,” Hilton said.
“Shame on him for doing that.”
Hilton said mental health treatment must be a priority and accused state leadership of failing to carry out voter-approved reforms.
“We have to provide people the mental health treatment that they need,” he said.
“We have to implement prop 36 that we all voted for in California.”
Hilton concluded by taking aim at what he described as praise for Newsom’s handling of homelessness, calling such assessments disconnected from reality.
“And then finally, I have to say sorry to keep picking on that,” Hilton said.
“But he just said in an interview that the thing he most admires about Gavin Newsom is his record on homelessness. You got to be kidding, Matt.”
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Hilton’s remarks come as homelessness remains a central issue in California, with growing debate over enforcement, treatment access, and the effectiveness of billions of dollars spent by the state in recent years.
