‘Common sense’: Fresno lawmaker’s bill to help undocumented homebuyers

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Fresno lawmaker Joaquin Arambula is the author of a controversial new bill now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. If signed, it will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for the state’s first-time home-buyer program “California Dream For All.”

The bill passed on a 45-15 party-line vote.

“AB 1840 does not create a new home ownership assistance program for a specific group of people, nor does it give away free money. Already, anyone can apply who meets the existing California Dream for All loan program’s financial criteria as a first-time homebuyer,” Arambula said.

Arambula goes on to say that applicants are our friends and neighbors, who are there in times of trouble.

“They are our co-workers, our neighbors, the families whose children attend our schools, and the people we see at church. They are the people we see at our community parks and at our local stores. They are entrepreneurs and the people who volunteer when emergencies strike,” he said.

Democrat Senator Ann Caballero of Merced also applauded the legislation advancing.

“This is a common sense bill that allows individuals – many of whom were essential workers during the COVID crisis – to be able to get in line and hopefully buy their first home,” Senator Caballero said.

But senate republicans say the legislation is a bad idea, and that California is too broke to pay for it.

“We are in a complete budget deficit and subsidizing housing for people that are not here legally is not something we should be doing. I do not support that in any way shape or form, especially when so many Americans are waiting for a housing opportunity to open up,” Republican Senator Shannon Grove said.

As of now, there is no money to fund AB 1840 if Governor Newsom signs it. NewsNation reached out to Newsom’s office, which indicated that they would evaluate the bill once it reached the governor’s desk.

There is speculation Newsom may be reluctant to sign the legislation with a Presidential election just weeks away.

Arambula says migrants deserve the assistance.

“We are a nation of immigrants, and we should remind ourselves the value and humanity of the people coming here who make our economy better – an economy that is the fifth-largest in the world,” he said.

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