The organization Hacienda Community Development Corp. is under scrutiny for its participation in a government-funded initiative that supports down payment assistance for homebuyers, uniquely available to non-citizens in Oregon. This method seemingly sidelines American citizens from the process, based on documentation that the Daily Caller accessed.
Reportedly, Hacienda CDC, through the Camino a Casa program, is providing up to $30,000 to assist eligible homebuyers with their initial payments. An X user by the name of Oregon Citizen first highlighted this through a screenshot. The agency describes its services, stating, “Clients work closely with financial coaches and HUD-certified housing counselors throughout the entirety of the homebuying process. In addition to mortgage readiness and financial fitness workshops, we provide various opportunities for down-payment assistance.” To qualify, applicants must be non-citizens, as noted by Republican Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl, who verified with Business Oregon the selective nature of these grants.
“American citizens in Oregon are struggling to find and buy a home. We have a severe housing shortage in this state. I am appalled that the hard-earned, limited tax dollars of Oregonians are being used to prioritize homeownership for certain non-US citizens. Oregon can’t end this state-sponsored discrimination soon enough,” Diehl expressed his concern.
Part of Hacienda CDC’s funding stream comes from the Economic Equity Investment Program (EEIP), set up by Oregon’s Economic Equity Investment Act (SB 1579) which the state’s legislature passed in the previous year. This act channels state and federal taxpayer dollars, including significant contributions from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to the organization. Initially, the EEIP was allocated $15 million to distribute among groups committed to its equity goals, with another $8 million added in 2024 for organizations like Hacienda CDC that “culturally responsive services to support economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building, and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses, and communities.”
However, such prioritization has led to criticism, as highlighted by the Daily Caller, suggesting that the act enables Hacienda CDC and similar entities to exclude residents based on their race and citizenship, favouring non-citizens deemed as part of a disadvantaged group according to the EEIP FAQs on Business Oregon’s site. Despite these practices, the agreement with the state mandates that all eligible participants be considered without discrimination. “Recipient shall consider all eligible beneficiaries (meeting 2 or more economic equity risk factors) as described in Exhibit A and shall not refuse to work with individuals, families, businesses, or communities based on protected class considerations,” the contract specifies, including U.S. citizens among those eligible.
Furthermore, Hacienda CDC collaborates with credit unions offering mortgages via Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to non-citizens without social security numbers, exploiting an IRS provision for such cases.
On these practices, Andrew Quinio, a lawyer from the Pacific Legal Foundation, remarked, “Oregon cannot treat individuals differently based on race except in very rare exceptions, nor can it have groups do so on its behalf.” He sheds light on Oregon’s history with policies possibly infringing on constitutional rights due to racial discrimination.
Finally, the deteriorating state of housing affordability in Oregon’s major locales is emphasized. Data from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis illustrates a grim picture, wherein only a minute percentage of the population in areas like Portland metro can manage a home purchase with a minimal down payment. State economist Josh Lehner voiced his concerns to Oregon Public Broadcasting over the acute issue of housing unaffordability coupled with low vacancies across the state.
