On Tuesday, the California State Senate passed a bill that, if implemented, would enable illegal immigrants in the state to apply for the “California Dreams for All” homebuyer assistance program.
The bill would extend eligibility for this financial assistance program to undocumented individuals, despite the program’s funds being depleted only 11 days after its initial launch in June, according to Fox News. At the time, the program awarded 1,700 first-time homebuyers with financial assistance. Originally, the program offered first-time homebuyers up to 20 percent of the home’s value or $150,000 in down payment assistance.
Should the bill fully pass the state legislature, it would head to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk and if signed become law. The governor has not stated if he would sign the bill into law.
California Assembly Member James Gallagher criticized the new bill, arguing that it would exacerbate the migrant crisis that has been continuing on the southern border and would increase the high cost of living in the state.
“I didn’t know it was possible to make the border crisis and the housing crisis worse with just one vote, but Democrats found a way,” Gallagher said. “Giving taxpayer-funded housing subsidies to illegal immigrants will drive costs even higher and encourage more chaos at the border.”
“This is crazy, and it needs to stop,” he added.
The bill is yet another in a series of state benefits that California has proposed offering to illegal immigrants. Earlier this year, the state also expanded its health insurance program to include more benefits for those in the country illegally. The expansion allowed over 700,000 immigrants in the US illegally between the ages of 26-49 have access to free, full coverage in California. This program is expected to cost California taxpayers over $3 billion a year.
