Dupage Policy Journal

The Illinois Housing Development Authority will restart its Abriendo Puertas program to help people of color get housing through forgivable loans from the $10 million in the Rubild Illinois capital funds.

“This is not a valid use of tax money,” Jeanne Ives, who lost to Incumbent Democrat Sean Casten in the Nov. 3, 2020, election, wrote on Facebook.

Federal Companies noted that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients can apply for Abriendo Puertas. Higher Ed Immigration Portal reported there are approximately 8 thousand DACA students in higher education in Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and IHDA recently announced that they are relaunching a program aimed at helping non-white and low-income people buy houses, called the Opening Doors or Abriendo Puertas program, according to a release. Through Opening Doors, non-white and low-income households who have either never purchased a house or have purchased homes before can receive $6,000 in forgivable assistance, to be put towards either a down payment or closing costs. The funding will come from the Rebuild Illinois capital funds and will distribute $10 million to more than 1,600 households.

A release from IHDA noted first-time buyers, qualified veterans and non-first-time homebuyers can also apply for the homebuying assistance.

“For generations, home ownership has paved a pathway to prosperity for working families,” Pritzker said. “Unfortunately, Black and Brown people who sought to achieve this, faced insurmountable odds and, because of a prejudiced system, were left behind. We are righting that wrong and breaking down barriers with this round of funding.”

NBC Chicago reported applicants must have a credit score of 630 or higher for eligibility.

The program was first launched in Dec. 2020, at which time $35 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funds was distributed to 5,800 first-time and repeat homebuyers, according to the release.

To learn more about the program, visit IHDA’s webpage.

“Traditionally, buying a home has been the most common strategy for working families to put down roots in a community and build household wealth,” IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust said. “The Opening Doors program will make these opportunities possible for so many families.”