Why It Matters
Wyoming communities secured critical funding for housing infrastructure Thursday, ending weeks of delay caused by disagreement over whether legal immigrants should qualify for housing built with state dollars. The grants unlock local development in towns struggling with workforce housing shortages.
The decision affects projects across Wyoming’s neighbor communities and reflects broader debates over immigration policy playing out in western state capitals.
What Happened
The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board voted to distribute $5 million in housing grants after an April 2 meeting collapsed in confrontation between Governor Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Gordon later apologized for telling Gray to shut up during that session.
Thursday’s vote included new citizenship requirements for housing beneficiaries. Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder proposed verification rules allowing U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens to qualify, citing consultation with federal Housing and Urban Development officials.
Gray opposed including legal residents, arguing state benefits should go only to citizens. His motion to exclude legal immigrants failed when no board member seconded it.
By The Numbers
- $5 million appropriated by Wyoming Legislature in 2023
- 22 applications submitted requesting over $53 million total
- $750,000 awarded to City of Rawlins for workforce apartments
- Section 214 of Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 defines eligible aliens
- Article 1, Section 29 of Wyoming Constitution bars property distinctions between citizens and legal residents
The Citizenship Question
State Treasurer Curt Meier warned that excluding legal residents could violate the Wyoming Constitution, which prohibits discrimination between citizens and resident aliens in property rights. Meier said board members could violate their oath of office by adopting such restrictions.
Gray countered that constitutional property protections differ from discretionary state benefits. He maintained opposition throughout the vote, calling the compromise a flawed approach.
The board expanded verification methods to include E-Verify and valid Wyoming Real ID documents, not just the federal SAVE program. Pure infrastructure projects like sewer lines were exempted from citizenship checks.
Zoom Out
Housing shortages affect communities across the Mountain West as population growth outpaces construction. Wyoming towns increasingly rely on state grants as the final piece needed to complete affordable housing projects.
The citizenship debate mirrors national Republican divisions over legal immigration policy. Both Degenfelder and Gray invoked their alignment with President Donald Trump while taking opposite positions on legal resident eligibility.
What’s Next
Approved projects will move forward with citizenship verification requirements in place for direct housing units. State Auditor Kristi Racines emphasized keeping administrative burdens manageable for small municipalities implementing the checks.
The board approved funding for multiple projects including Rawlins workforce apartments. Exact totals for additional awarded grants were not specified in available records.
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