Any way you explain it, it’s still race-based, and the working middle class paying their insurance premiums on time are funding the program.

Progressive's UpPayment program is a down payment assistance grant for first-generation homebuyers, not one specifically targeted at or exclusively for minority ethnicities. The grants are intended to help people who lack the generational wealth and knowledge to buy their first home, a barrier that disproportionately impacts minority communities due to historical inequalities.

UpPayment program qualifications

To qualify for the UpPayment program, you must be a first-generation homebuyer. According to Progressive, the grants are designed to help these buyers overcome the financial hurdles of purchasing a home. The current program offers a grant of $13,500 to up to 100 qualified applicants. The specific, legally binding criteria can be found in the official rules on the Progressive website.

How minority ethnicities benefit

While not a race-exclusive program, UpPayment is designed to benefit the same groups disproportionately affected by the homeownership gap. Due to the legacy of systemic racism, which includes discriminatory housing policies, many minority families have not had the opportunity to build the generational wealth often passed down through homeownership. This means minority ethnicities, who are more likely to be first-generation homebuyers, can benefit significantly from the program, but they do not receive preferential treatment in the application process.