The California legislature is considering a bill that would provide undocumented immigrants with up to $150,000 in homeownership loans. This has sparked outrage from many, including longtime California resident Faith Lersey, who recently moved to South Carolina with her family due to the unaffordable cost of living in the Golden State.
Lersey, who had lived in Los Angeles County, questioned the rationale behind the bill, stating that it seemed “asinine” to prioritize assistance for undocumented immigrants over citizens who have lived in California for generations and are struggling to achieve homeownership. She highlighted the disparity in housing costs between her current home in South Carolina and the homes she considered in California, noting that her current residence is three times less expensive.
The proposed bill, AB 1840, aims to include undocumented immigrants in the California Housing Finance Authority’s home purchase assistance program, known as the California Dream for All Program. The bill passed the state Senate on Tuesday, despite the fact that the program ran out of funding just 11 days after its launch in June, leaving 1,700 first-time homebuyers without assistance.
This latest proposal comes at a time when California is facing a budget deficit and millions of dollars in debt, with many residents leaving the state due to the high cost of living. A spokesman for California’s Department of Finance confirmed that the California Dream for All Program has no remaining funds.
Critics of the bill argue that it is financially irresponsible to prioritize providing financial assistance to undocumented immigrants when the state is facing its own financial challenges. They point out that California has a history of enacting progressive legislation without considering the potential long-term consequences.
The bill’s supporters argue that it is essential to ensure that all Californians, regardless of their immigration status, have access to affordable housing. They contend that the bill will help to address the state’s housing crisis by providing more people with the opportunity to purchase homes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a staunch supporter of President Biden’s immigration policies, has not yet commented on whether he will sign the bill into law. The bill faces a deadline of August 31st to be passed by the legislature. The debate over this bill has highlighted the ongoing tension between providing affordable housing and addressing the state’s budget woes, particularly during a time of national political discourse surrounding immigration.
