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Travis Allen, a Republican Assemblyman and gubernatorial candidate in California, wants to build state-run mental institutions and force homeless people to live there.

"We need state-run mental institutions where people can actually go, (where) the indigent can go and get the help that they need. What we are doing is not working,” said Allen as quoted by The Sacramento Bee.

According to the media outlet, the GOP gubernatorial hopeful made the statement during a recent forum on housing.

Allen believes that homelessness is a very big problem, Cities and Counties cannot resolve it alone. The state government needs to help address homelessness.  He noted that California has more homeless people than other states because it shut down state-run mental institutions.

Allen promised to bring back institutions to provide sufficient mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and job training.

He said, “If you are an indigent person in California, if you are no longer able to provide a roof over your head, a roof will be provided for you.” He added that the state will also help those who simply need a roof over their head and get back on their feet.

Homeless people in California should not occupy public spaces

Furthermore, Allen emphasized that homeless people should not occupying public spaces. He will require law enforcement to aggressively enforce anti-camping and loitering laws.

Moreover, the GOP gubernatorial candidate will not allow people from out of state to live in the streets of California. He will push them out.

According to him, "California citizens have a right to clean streets, to clean cities. For those that are on the streets of California that are not from here, they will find a one-way ticket out of our state and we will clean up our streets in California."

In February, the mayors of 11 largest cities in California pushed for a $1.5 billion funding to address homelessness. A group of state lawmakers supported their request. They pointed out that they cannot tackle homelessness alone because it is a statewide, humanitarian crisis.

Allen slams Democratic opponents over homelessness

During his campaign trail, Allen tells voters that his Democratic gubernatorial opponents, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, are partly responsible for homelessness.

According to him, in Los Angeles, "there's a six-block radius that looks like a third-world war zone.” Allen is referring to Skid Row, which has the largest population of homeless people in the United States.