Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton stood in the heart of Los Angeles Skid Row. The streets were covered in trash and drug debris. He called the situation a political scandal.

He said it was not a natural disaster. He argued that Democratic leaders caused this mess. They spent billions of taxpayer dollars.

Yet the streets got worse. This happened just before the November 3 governor's race. Hilton is challenging Democrat Xavier Becerra.

Homelessness is a key issue in this contest. Hilton told Fox News Digital that the current approach fails. He pointed to real estate developers and nonprofits.

He called their relationship a crony game. A small group of developers gets the contracts. They build apartment units that do not help.

The real problem is drug addiction. Hilton said nonprofits are part of the issue. They follow an ideology of harm reduction.

They do not try to solve the problem. If they solved it, they would stop getting paid. They have an incentive to keep the crisis going.

Recent federal actions support this view. In September, prosecutors charged a nonprofit founder. He allegedly misused taxpayer funds.

He took nearly $50,000 for a trip to Tahiti. His organization received over $118 million in public money. Federal and local authorities also raided Skid Row.

They arrested 23 defendants in a drug investigation. They targeted dealers selling fentanyl and meth. Hilton walked through the encampments with reporters.

He spoke to a woman living on the streets. She had been there for five years. She said she liked being on drugs.

She moved from New York for methadone clinics. She was considering a treatment program in Tarzana. Local volunteers also criticized the leadership.

Venus is a volunteer who distributes food. She blasted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. She said Bass lied about the homeless crisis.

She noted that Bass promised to clear the streets. She said the mayor did nothing. She expressed shame over the lack of progress.

Hilton accused his opponent, Becerra, of contempt. He said Becerra is avoiding debates. He claimed Becerra does not deserve the vote.

Hilton said California voters are tired. They face high taxes and high costs. He believes people are ready for change.

The plan he offered was simple. Enforce the law. Remove encampments from the streets.

He called the current state cruel. He argued it collapses civilized life. The election is the next step for voters.