As California grapples with housing affordability and homelessness, eight gubernatorial candidates present various solutions. A consensus emerges on the need to cut bureaucratic obstacles to expedite housing construction. Some propose compelling homeless individuals to accept services, including drug treatment.

Steve Hilton, a leading Republican candidate, supports creating new suburbs to improve affordability. In contrast, Democratic candidates prefer increasing housing within existing cities. California’s high housing costs and homelessness are critical issues. Candidates have devised multiple proposals to increase housing, enhance affordability, and reduce homelessness, while addressing mental health and drug addiction, significant contributors to the crisis.

Meet the Candidates

The primary field includes two Republicans and six Democrats, with the top two advancing to the general election. The Republicans are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton. The Democratic candidates include former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, San José Mayor Matt Mahan, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Xavier Becerra

Becerra believes in building more homes to reduce costs, a view aligned with economists who cite supply-demand mismatch. He plans to cut red tape and quicken project approvals. Becerra suggests a 90-day deadline for building permit approvals and relaxing regulations for infill projects. He advocates strengthening eviction protections and limiting investor home purchases. For homelessness, Becerra proposes a $150-million annual prevention fund to aid at-risk neighborhoods.

Chad Bianco

Bianco aims to dismantle “government-created barriers” to affordable housing. His campaign supports faster approvals, ending building industry overregulation, and axing the California Environmental Protection Act. Bianco commits to protecting Prop. 13’s low property taxes. On homelessness, he wants cities to remove encampments, and enhance mental health and substance abuse resources.

Steve Hilton

Hilton advocates suburban expansion to curb affordability issues, distinct from the infill focus. He suggests reforming the California Environmental Quality Act to limit lawsuits and ease infrastructure funding for new cities. Hilton opposes rent control, linking it to reduced builder incentives, and prefers group shelters over permanent housing for the homeless.

Matt Mahan

Mahan argues high housing costs drive people from California and contribute to homelessness. He proposes lowering development fees, removing restrictive taxes, and faster permit processing. Mahan supports modular housing as part of an industrial strategy. His homelessness plan includes more interim beds and penalizing those who decline shelter repeatedly.

Katie Porter

Porter wants to boost all housing types for affordability. She pledges federal investment and incentives for innovative building. Porter emphasizes interim housing, emergency rental assistance, and rapid rehousing to combat homelessness.

Tom Steyer

Steyer aims to build 1 million homes in four years by revamping housing finance and utilizing public land. He wants to close tax loopholes and foster factory-built housing. On homelessness, Steyer advocates expanding interim housing and services while avoiding costly permanent solutions.

Tony Thurmond

Thurmond plans 2 million homes, leveraging school district land and exploring redevelopment agencies. He emphasizes homeless housing with integrated mental health and substance abuse services.

Antonio Villaraigosa

Villaraigosa supports Senate Bills promoting denser housing and proposes reduced fees and CEQA reform. His housing solutions involve mixed-income projects on public land and expanded mortgage assistance. For homelessness, he backs a substantial investment in permanent supportive housing and interim options.