Photo by Tierra Mallorca at unsplash.com

Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill from Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula that would expand a first-time homebuyer program to include undocumented immigrants.

AB 1840 would’ve expanded the state” Dream for All” down payment assistance program for undocumented Californians.

Arambula, a Fresno Democrat, recently told CalMatters the measure is part of representing his constituents, who struggle with being able to purchase a home despite working and paying taxes. He is up for re-election, but primary results indicate he is likely to win.

“Thus far, the Dream for All program has not had the diversity that we are used to seeing within our state benefit from the program, so we need to make sure that we’re passing policies that are inclusive,” Arambula told CalMatters.

In a veto statement on Friday, Newsom said he had concerns about how to pay for the program.

“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,” Newsom said in a statement Friday.

The California Department of Finance told KCRA that the program has no money to give anyone — undocumented or not — because lawmakers didn’t appropriate funds for it this year.