Ed Diehl - Hacienda Community Development Corporation

Controversy erupted after a taxpayer-funded housing support group in Portland, Oregon, appeared to have been offering grants of $30,000 to first-time buyers in the state, but with only those who are not U.S. citizens eligible to apply.

The money was offered by the Hacienda Community Development Corporation (HCDC) as part of its "Camino a Casa," which is advertised as being "only for people who are not American citizens." Reports it was not available to American citizens sparked an angry backlash, with one Oregon Republican lawmaker branding it "state-sponsored discrimination."

Speaking to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Business Oregon, which funds the HCDC, said an advertisement for the grant was "not accurate," adding, "We have confirmed with Hacienda that their program is in fact open to both U.S. citizens and non-citizens."