Taxpayer-Funded Program Offers $30,000 to Non-Citizen Homebuyers in Oregon, Excluding U.S. Citizens

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Taxpayer-Funded Program Offers $30,000 to Non-Citizen Homebuyers in Oregon, Excluding U.S. Citizens

A taxpayer-funded program in Oregon offers $30,000 in down payment assistance to non-citizens, raising concerns over the exclusion of U.S. citizens from eligibility.

In Oregon, a taxpayer-funded down payment assistance program is under scrutiny for offering financial aid exclusively to non-citizens while excluding American citizens from eligibility. The Hacienda Community Development Corporation (Hacienda CDC) is participating in this controversial program, providing $30,000 in assistance to new homebuyers through its Camino a Casa program, the Daily Caller reported.

The Camino a Casa program is designed to assist eligible non-citizens in purchasing homes in Oregon. According to a screenshot shared by the X user Oregon Citizen, the program requires participants to be non-citizens to qualify for the assistance. Hacienda CDC’s website confirms that clients work closely with financial coaches and HUD-certified housing counselors throughout the homebuying process, offering various opportunities for down payment assistance.

Republican Oregon state Rep. Ed Diehl expressed his dismay at the program, stating, “American citizens in Oregon are struggling to find and buy a home. We have a severe housing shortage in this state. I am appalled that the hard-earned, limited tax dollars of Oregonians are being used to prioritize home ownership for certain non-US citizens.”

Hacienda CDC receives funding through the Economic Equity Investment Program (EEIP), which was established under the Economic Equity Investment Act (SB 1579) passed by the Oregon legislature in 2022. The EEIP, initially funded with $15 million, aims to promote economic stability and wealth building among disadvantaged communities. In 2024, the legislature allocated an additional $8 million to EEIP to support organizations, including Hacienda CDC, that provide culturally responsive services.

Critics argue that the program discriminates against U.S. citizens by prioritizing non-citizens for homebuying assistance. According to the EEIP guidelines, participants must be part of a disadvantaged community, which includes non-citizens. The contract viewed by the Daily Caller indicates that citizenship status is considered an economic equity risk factor, making non-citizens eligible beneficiaries.

Andrew Quinio, an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, raised concerns about the program’s legality, stating, “Oregon cannot treat individuals differently based on race except in very rare exceptions, nor can it have groups do so on its behalf. The Constitution forbids the government from advantaging or disadvantaging individuals based on race, either directly or indirectly this way.”

Oregon’s housing affordability crisis exacerbates the controversy. The latest data from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis shows that only 19% of residents in the Portland metro area can afford a median-sized home with a 5% down payment. Other cities in Oregon, such as Bend, Salem, Eugene, and Medford, are experiencing similar affordability issues.

The U.S. housing market faces a deficit of 4.5 million homes, according to Zillow. As housing becomes increasingly out of reach for many Americans, programs like the one in Oregon have sparked debates over the fairness of offering taxpayer-funded assistance to non-citizens while excluding American citizens.

“The simple fact is there are not enough homes in this country, and that’s pushing homeownership out of reach for too many families,” said Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow.

In the midst of a national housing shortage, the decision to allocate funds for non-citizen homebuyers in Oregon has drawn significant criticism, with calls for a reevaluation of how taxpayer dollars are being used to address the state’s housing crisis.

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