House Bill Would Redirect Immigration Enforcement Funds to Housing

U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez has introduced a bill that would redirect billions in federal dollars from immigration enforcement to programs that help Americans achieve homeownership, reports Giulia Carbonaro in Newsweek.

“The legislation, Gomez said, would help those Americans who have been pushed to the sidelines of the U.S. housing market by growing affordability issues over the past five years to finally achieve homeownership.” It would shift $175 billion allocated to border militarization to housing assistance. “The bill would create the first-ever monthly Renter Tax Credit, which would provide $60,000+ in down payment assistance for first-generation homebuyers, convert vacant commercial buildings into affordable housing, and expand deeply affordable units nationwide.”

According to Gomez, “We do that by investing in renter assistance, down payment for every first-time homebuyer, building new starter homes and converting old commercial and office space to housing, and then making sure that everyone gets an opportunity to participate in homeownership if they want to.”