Steve Hilton proposes lower fees and faster housing approvals

Hilton’s housing proposal

Steve Hilton proposed reducing fees, offering tax incentives and accelerating government approvals as ways to address California’s housing costs. In an Oct. 25 post on X, Hilton said state fees, regulations and delays make starter homes too expensive and risky for builders.

Hilton said he would lower fees specifically for smaller homes, though he did not identify which charges would be reduced. He also did not specify who would qualify for the proposed tax incentives or how fast-track approval would change existing state and local review processes.

Hilton tied the proposal to homeownership among younger Californians, saying many are losing confidence that they will ever be able to buy a home. His plan focuses on changing the cost and approval process for new housing rather than offering direct financial assistance to homebuyers.

A broader argument about California costs

In another X post on Oct. 26, Hilton placed housing alongside gasoline prices, electric bills and homelessness as concerns he said Californians had raised with him at public events. He blamed 16 years of one-party control of state government for worsening those conditions.

Turning the housing proposal into a specific policy would require details about which level of government would lower fees, what projects would qualify and how the tax incentives would work. California housing approvals can involve both state requirements and decisions by cities and counties, making the scope of any faster process an important part of the policy design.

The next steps to watch are whether Hilton releases formal policy language, identifies a funding mechanism for tax incentives or names specific regulations and fees he wants changed.