NEW homeowners can receive thousands of dollars towards a house, but the program announcement left many wondering who can apply.
The program offers first-time homeowners a $30,000 grant to assist with down payments; however, the assistance caused major backlash after it was initially announced for non-US citizens.
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Latino-founded support group Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Portland, Oregon, was forced to clarify their program meant to help those frequently discriminated against find affordable housing.
The foundation provides various homebuying support for low-income, predominantly Latino families in the Cully neighborhood.
On August 8, the foundation announced a grant for first-time home buyers in the state of Oregon, but the flyer for the program initially claimed the program excluded American citizens.
“Only for people who are not American citizens,” the flyer read.
A little over two weeks later, on August 25, the group clarified the exclusion.
The group wrote: “Over the past few days, false information about Hacienda CDC and one of our downpayment assistance programs has rapidly circulated in conservative media, tabloid websites, and social media.
“A community flyer we created through an outside consultant misstated these program requirements,” the statement read.
“To be clear, we do not discriminate against anyone and serve all Oregonians equally.”
The Hacienda CDC went on to clarify who can apply for the program.
“Through a pilot program for 21 homebuyers, Hacienda distributed mortgage down payment assistance funded through Business Oregon.
“This is part of the Economic Equity Investment Program (Oregon Senate Bill 1579), which aims to build economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth-building, and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses, and communities in the State. The program does not exclude U.S. citizens.
“Participants need to be Oregon taxpayers with a mortgage pre-approved by a bank or credit union and meet two out of five risk factors outlined by the program governed by State Statute and RGA requirements.”
Those requirements include experience of discrimination because of race or ethnicity, English language proficiency, citizenship status, Socioeconomic status, residence or operation in a rural location.
Hacienda CDC noted that it “has been advancing the health, livability and progress of all Oregonians, regardless of their race or ethnicity.”
Who is eligible?
- Participants need to be Oregon taxpayers with a mortgage pre-approved by a bank or credit union and meet two out of five risk factors outlined by the program governed by State Statute and RGA requirements. These include:
- Experience of discrimination because of race or ethnicity
- English language proficiency
- Citizenship status
- Socioeconomic status
- Residence or operation in a rural location
“Our mission is to strengthen families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement, and educational opportunities, focusing on creating inclusive pathways to success.”
The $30,000 buying incentive comes after the group was awarded $692,775 grant from the Oregon-funded Economic Equity Investment Program.
According to the Oregon Government website, the Economic Equity Investment Program aims “to build economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building, and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses, and communities in the state.”
Hacienda CDC’s housing project program can be used for a down payment, closing costs, and interest rate buy-downs.
The housing support group also offers seminars on how to save for homes and how to gain access to different family services.
Those wanting to gain access to the program can visit the Hacienda CDC’s website and sign up.
