California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on housing?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Housing
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Would declare the housing shortage a state of emergency on day one, finance about 40,000 approved affordable units, cut fees and permit delays, and enforce housing law on cities.
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- Campaign proposal2026
His housing plan calls for a first-day executive order declaring the housing shortage a state of emergency, with a team assigned to close the funding gap for nearly 40,000 affordable units in approved projects; statewide fee reform; a final state response on housing projects within a defined timeline, such as 180 days; zoning reform near jobs and transit; and enforcement, including financial penalties where appropriate, against cities that renege on their housing element commitments. He also supports expanding down payment assistance. 2 sourcesHousing - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 6, 2026 · CampaignWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 30, 2026
On homelessness, proposes a dedicated state prevention funding stream for rental assistance and eviction defense and public dashboards tracking per-unit costs, with state funding tied to results. In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate he said he would clear encampments, address mental health and addiction, and "demand accountability" of local governments. 2 sourcesHomelessness - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · May 8, 2026 · CampaignBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
His housing plan calls for a first-day executive order declaring the housing shortage a state of emergency, with a team assigned to close the funding gap for nearly 40,000 affordable units in approved projects; statewide fee reform; a final state response on housing projects within a defined timeline, such as 180 days; zoning reform near jobs and transit; and enforcement, including financial penalties where appropriate, against cities that renege on their housing element commitments. He also supports expanding down payment assistance. 2 sourcesHousing - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · Jan. 6, 2026 · CampaignWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 30, 2026
On homelessness, proposes a dedicated state prevention funding stream for rental assistance and eviction defense and public dashboards tracking per-unit costs, with state funding tied to results. In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate he said he would clear encampments, address mental health and addiction, and "demand accountability" of local governments. 2 sourcesHomelessness - Xavier Becerra (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · May 8, 2026 · CampaignBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Proposes cutting fees and rules for starter single-family homes and limiting CEQA lawsuits; says police should be involved in clearing all homeless encampments and wants state funding for sober housing.
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- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes to "bring back the starter home" by reducing fees and building regulations on smaller single-family homes, capping government fees and regulations on a new home (at $30,000 on average, he said in a September 2026 interview; at $50,000, he said in the Sept. 30, 2026 debate), barring the use of the California Environmental Quality Act to sue to stop construction, and creating a state loan program for first-time buyers. 3 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Says camping on the street is illegal and police should be involved in clearing all encampments; proposes using state funding for sober housing rather than only low-barrier shelters, and overhauling state homelessness spending. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalSept. 2026
Proposes to "bring back the starter home" by reducing fees and building regulations on smaller single-family homes, capping government fees and regulations on a new home (at $30,000 on average, he said in a September 2026 interview; at $50,000, he said in the Sept. 30, 2026 debate), barring the use of the California Environmental Quality Act to sue to stop construction, and creating a state loan program for first-time buyers. 3 sourcesWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · NewsCalifornia governor's race: GOP candidate Steve Hilton pitches affordability agenda as he tries to close gap (opens in a new tab)ABC7 San Francisco · Sept. 25, 2026 · NewsBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Says camping on the street is illegal and police should be involved in clearing all encampments; proposes using state funding for sober housing rather than only low-barrier shelters, and overhauling state homelessness spending. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Xavier Becerra
Local obligations to allow housing
No locality should have the right to try to stop all of our people in California from having the housing they need
Xavier Becerra · General-election debate with Steve Hilton, hosted by CNN in Burbank, citing his lawsuit as attorney general against Huntington Beach, as reported by CalMatters · Sept. 30, 2026
SourceIn Becerra and Hilton's only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
No statement on this issue included
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