The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)
The ownership and occupancy of a home is a fundamental element in the fabric of the American way of life.
(b)
The rapid appreciation in the value of homes in California which has occurred and is accelerating in recent years has made it impossible for many young persons and families who have never owned their own home to obtain the necessary financing to purchase their own home.
(c)
Rising costs and resulting inability of first-time homebuyers to purchase their first home is inimical to the welfare of a substantial segment of the population and, with few exceptions, beyond the capability of private enterprise acting alone to cure, and a public purpose is served by facilitating the entry into the housing market of first-time homebuyers who would be unable to finance the purchase of their first home without the kind of financial assistance provided by this part.
(d)
Authorization for the making of home mortgages to first-time homebuyers by cities and counties under this part will enable many persons and families who are otherwise unable to do so to take out a loan for the purpose of becoming a homeowner for the first time.