Hilton Pledges to Clear California Encampments by 2027
Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton proposes Homeless Recovery Centers as part of his plan to address the state's homelessness crisis.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton announced a plan Tuesday to clear all homeless encampments in California by the end of 2027. The proposal centers on establishing a network of Homeless Recovery Centers, with the Sunbreak Ranch project in San Diego County serving as a model.
These centers would offer a comprehensive range of services, including housing, meals, medical care, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and job training. Each individual would be assigned a case manager to help them transition into stable housing, with ongoing support available for those who require it, according to Hilton's campaign.
"No one is going to get their life back on track on the streets," Hilton stated at a press conference. "We are going to get people off the streets and into place where they can actually get help."
Hilton cited U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data from 2025, which reported 181,934 homeless individuals in California, with 115,583 living unsheltered. He criticized the state's allocation of nearly $24 billion to homelessness and housing initiatives in recent years, noting that the state auditor found a lack of consistent tracking for spending and results.
Under Hilton's proposed timeline, he would convene with mayors and county leaders in his first month as governor to establish public deadlines for clearing encampments. A Labor Day 2027 deadline would be set for local officials, with a final state deadline of December 31, 2027, for all encampments to be dismantled.
To facilitate these efforts, Hilton plans to declare a state of emergency to bypass permitting delays, enforce public camping bans once adequate facilities are in place, and conduct an audit of homelessness spending through an initiative called Operation Zero Waste. The goal of this audit would be to reallocate funds from ineffective programs.
Hilton indicated that if local leaders fail to comply, the state would intervene. "Leaving people to deteriorate in tents is a disgrace," he said. "By the end of 2027, every encampment will be cleared, and Californians will have their sidewalks and parks back."
The campaign for Hilton's opponent, Xavier Becerra, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.