Dear Friends, 

Alongside nine of my House colleagues, I recently introduced the Home of Your Own Act. This exciting new bill proposes one-time, $30,000 homeownership grants to help New Mexicans and Americans across the country become first-time homeowners. 

Watch the launch video for the Home of Your Own Act! (Click here)

Why This Matters

Homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult for many, especially young adults and workers with good jobs who still struggle to afford a down payment and closing costs. The Home of Your Own Act aims to provide much-needed support with $30,000 grants to eligible first-time homebuyers earning at or below 120-150 percent of the area median income.

Success Story in New Mexico

I secured $750,000 to fund a Home of Your Own pilot program through Homewise, a New Mexico based affordable housing non-profit. On June 5, Timothy, a Santa Fe resident, closed on his first home because of this program. Timothy’s story is a testament that this program works in unlocking a brighter future for New Mexicans.

The pilot project will help 25 families across the third Congressional district buy their first homes. While Santa Fe has very high housing costs, we know that people in Farmington, Taos and Hobbs also struggle to save enough money to make the down payment costs needed to purchase their first home. 

My Thoughts

“We need a new homeownership assistance program so our teachers, nurses, and artists can afford to live and stay in their hometowns. This program is going to help people when they need it most. Tax credits might provide a benefit on April 15th, but people need money when they’re closing on their home — that’s what my bill will accomplish.”

“This program is modeled after a community-funded project I secured for Homewise in 2023, which is already working for New Mexicans. Homeownership means hope for the future. We need to revitalize Americans’ hope in a shared prosperous future. We need to pass the Home of Your Own Act.”

Who’s Supporting This?

The Home of Your Own Act is gaining traction and support from Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM).

The bill has been endorsed by America's Credit Unions, Credit Union Association of New Mexico, Homewise, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National American Indian Housing Council, National NeighborWorks Association, and UnidosUS. 

The bill is also endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

Read more on the bill HERE.

Stay tuned for more updates on this initiative and how it will benefit our community!