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Arambula Bill Would Ensure Undocumented Eligible for State Home Loan Program
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 11 months ago on
January 19, 2024

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Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula wants to do the same for a state home-lending program as for state health care — expand the program to undocumented people.

Arambula, D-Fresno, introduced AB 1840, which would allow “undocumented persons” eligibility for the California Dream for All Program — administered by the California Home Financing Agency — which provides first-time homebuyers help with a down payment.

“AB 1840 simply clarifies who is eligible for the California Dream for All program, which doesn’t have a citizenship requirement. But, I wanted to ensure that qualified first-time homebuyers include undocumented applicants. This won’t affect the State budget. The program was allocated $500 million in the 2022-23 budget and is a revolving shared appreciation loan program. So, it recovers its investment and can then extend loans to other qualified applicants,” Arambula told GV Wire.

“More importantly, the program is crucial in making homeownership more attainable and strengthening the economic development and quality of life for all our communities,” he said.

According to the Dream for All handbook, borrowers must “be either a citizen or other National of the United States, or a ‘Qualified Alien’ as defined at 8 U.S.C § 1641.”

Arambula’s office said the intent of the bill is to include the undocumented, although the term is not specifically defined.

A new state law that took effect on Jan. 1 expanded the state low-income health insurance program, Medi-Cal, to all those who qualify, including undocumented residents. Now, an estimated 700,000 Californians between the ages of 26-49 are also eligible; prior law set age restrictions for the undocumented. The state has committed $4 billion for the expansion.

Dream for All Program

“I wanted to ensure that qualified first-time homebuyers include undocumented applicants. This won’t affect the State budget.”Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula

Implemented for the first time last year, the Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan helps first-time homebuyers with a down payment, which can also be used for closing costs. The program requires a CalHFA-approved loan.

CalMatters reported that last year, $300 million in loans were claimed in just 11 days. The program helped approximately 2,500 homebuyers, including 75 from Fresno County. The program is changing this year from a first-come, first-served model to a lottery. Up to 2,000 borrowers are expected to share $250 million in state funds.

The program provides a loan for 20% of the purchase price, up to $150,000. The homeowner would pay back the loan when the home is eventually sold, plus 20% of any appreciation of the home’s value. CalHFA’s share would be 15% for lower-income buyers (considered 80% or less of the area median income).

For example, if a borrower purchases a home for $500,000, the Dream for All loan would be $100,000 (20%). When the home is sold for $700,000, the borrower would owe $140,000 ($100,000 principal, plus 20% of the $200,000 appreciation, or $40,000). If the home does not gain value at the time of a future sale, only the principal loan is due.

There are additional requirements, mainly income-based. The most recent income limit for Fresno County is $132,000. Only one borrower has to be a California resident, and one borrower has to be first-generation homebuyer — generally defined as their parents not currently owning a home.

Introduced Jan. 16, the bill could heard in committee no sooner than Feb. 16. Nothing has been scheduled.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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