First-time home buyers in Oregon receive $30,000 grant – Americans excluded

First-time home buyers in Oregon are encouraged to apply for a $30,000 taxpayer-funded grant to assist with the down payment—but only non-U.S. citizens are eligible.

The Latino-led housing organization Hacienda Community Development Corporation in Portland promotes the benefit through its Camino a Casa program, which says it “applies only to persons who are not American citizens.”

“Clients work closely with financial advisors and HUD-certified housing counselors throughout the homebuying process. In addition to mortgage preparation and financial fitness workshops, we offer a variety of down payment assistance options,” the group said.

Oregon Republican Rep. Ed Diehl called the plan “state-sponsored discrimination” and said he was “appalled that Oregonians' hard-earned, limited tax dollars are being used to enable certain non-U.S. citizens to purchase homes,” according to the Daily Caller.

The funds come from the state's taxpayer-funded Economic Equity Investment Program, a program designed to promote economic equity for disadvantaged people, under which Hacienda received a grant of $692,775.

In the Democratic-dominated state of Oregon, Republican officials are taking steps to repeal some of the state's asylum laws.