A key California Senate committee advanced a bill this week that would allow migrants and illegal immigrants to use a program aimed at helping a wider swath of the population become homebuyers. Because apparently, California hasn’t run out of ways to make life harder for its law-abiding citizens yet.
The “Dream For All” shared-appreciation loan program is billed by the state as a down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers. Or as conservatives might call it, the “Nightmare for Taxpayers” program.
When the qualified homeowner later sells or transfers the home, the homebuyer repays the original loan’s down payment, as well as a share of the residence’s value appreciation, according to the California Housing Finance Agency (CALHFA). It’s like a reverse Robin Hood – take from the taxpayers, give to… well, anyone who manages to cross the border.
In a 5-2 party-line vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill prohibiting an applicant for “Dream For All” from being disqualified based on their immigration status. Because why should pesky details like legal residency matter when handing out taxpayer money?
While foreign-born individuals are able to purchase homes in the U.S. by using an individual tax identification number in the absence of a Social Security number, the bill is unique in that it helps offer the benefits of homeownership to everyone, its author said. Everyone except, of course, the hardworking Californians who’ve been saving for years to buy their first home.
California Dreaming: A New American Nightmare?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony here. While many native Californians are fleeing the state due to high taxes and skyrocketing housing costs, the Democrats are rolling out the red carpet for illegal immigrants. It’s like they’re trying to win a competition for the most backward economic policy.
Remember when the American Dream meant working hard, playing by the rules, and earning your way to homeownership? Well, in California, it now means sneaking across the border and getting a taxpayer-funded loan. Talk about a plot twist!
Democrat Logic: Solving Housing Crisis by Increasing Demand
Democratic Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, clearly gunning for the “Captain Obvious” award, stated, “When undocumented individuals are excluded from such programs, they miss out on a crucial method of securing financial security and personal stability for themselves and their families.” Next up: water is wet, and the sky is blue. And, what ever happened to EARNING such financial security and personal stability?
With Arambula’s bill already having passed the state assembly, it only requires passage by the Democrat-supermajority state Senate and signature by Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law. At this point, we might as well rename California to “Newsom’s Folly.”
The “Dream For All” Program: By the Numbers
- $300 million in loans claimed in less than two weeks
- 5-2 party-line vote to approve the bill
- 0 consideration for legal California residents struggling to buy homes
- 1 giant headache for taxpayers
In its original form, the “Dream For All” program may have “worked too well,” the Sacramento Bee wrote earlier this year. Because nothing says success like burning through $300 million of taxpayer money in less than two weeks.
The paper reported $300 million in loans were claimed in less than two weeks, which led to a housing agency spokesperson saying the first-come-first-serve model it employed will be replaced with a lottery. Because when your terrible idea fails, the logical next step is to make it random!
Republican Response: A Voice of Reason in the Wilderness
While Democrats are busy reimagining the American Dream as a handout, Republicans are trying to inject some common sense into the conversation. It’s like trying to explain economics to a toddler, but they’re giving it their best shot.
“We really want to make sure that funds for this round are distributed equitably,” CALHFA’s Eric Johnson said at the time. Translation: “We want to make sure we’re equally unfair to all legal residents.”
The Bee’s analysis also showed the bill would not, like other similar legislative efforts, affect the Golden State’s budget deficit. Of course not! Why worry about trivial things like fiscal responsibility when you’re busy creating a progressive utopia?
A Voice of Reason in the Madness
After the bill was first introduced earlier this year, state Sen. Brian Dahle, a Republican, called it an ‘insult to California citizens who are already being priced out of homeownership.’ Finally, someone stating common sense! Dahle continued, “[G]ive priority to those who are in our state legally.” What a novel concept!
It’s almost as if Republicans believe that being in the country legally should count for something. Crazy, right?
Conclusion: California’s Race to the Bottom
As California continues its impressive sprint towards economic suicide, one has to wonder: is there a point where even the most die-hard progressives will say, “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea”? Probably not, but we can dream. After all, that’s what the “Dream For All” program is all about, isn’t it?
In the meantime, conservatives across the nation can only watch in a mixture of horror and amusement as California turns the concept of citizenship on its head. It’s like a cautionary tale playing out in real-time: “This is your state. This is your state on progressive policies. Any questions?”
As the Golden State continues to tarnish its own reputation, one thing is clear: if you’re a law-abiding, taxpaying citizen in California, you might want to start looking for real estate… in another state. Florida is waiting, c’mon down!
