Sept. 7 (UPI) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have extended home loans to undocumented immigrants under a program designed to increase homeownership in the state.
Newsom on Friday returned Assembly Bill 1840 to state legislators without his signature, according to a letter signed by the governor and obtained by media outlets.
“This bill seeks to prohibit the disqualification of applicants from one of California Housing Finance Agency’s home purchase assistance programs based solely on their immigration status,” he wrote.
“Given the finite funding available for CalHFA programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively.
“For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill,” he concludes.
Under the California Dream for All program , the state provides down payment and closing costs assistance to first-time homebuyers by covering up to 20% of a home’s value in the form of a loan.