Economic Inclusion

ABA: Eight Banks Win 2023 Community Commitment Awards

The American Bankers Association Foundation today named eight banks as 2023 Community Commitment Award winners. The annual awards recognize banks for extraordinary corporate social responsibility efforts in seven specific categories ranging from affordable housing to economic inclusion. The winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 10. The selection committee, made up of…

HUD: $25 Million Loan Guarantee Announced for Birmingham, AL Loan for Black, Indigenous, People of Color Fund

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the City of Birmingham, Alabama a $25.2 million loan fund under its loan guarantee program for the Community Development Block Grant Program, Section 108. The City of Birmingham plans to use these funds to establish a $25 million citywide Loan Pool to provide financing…

SBA: Data Shows Major Increase in Loans to Black-Owned Businesses Since 2020

The number and share of SBA-backed 7(a) and 504 loans going to Black-Owned businesses more than doubled since 2020 Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), joined Congressman Steven Horsford at the 2023 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference today to announce new data showing the rate of SBA-backed loans going to Black-owned businesses…

SBA: Small Business Loan Program Improvements Launched to Expand Access to Capital

Lending program improvements expand access to capital for small businesses and increases protection against fraud On August 1, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) began implementing additional policies aimed at expanding small business access to capital by modernizing SBA’s signature 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs. Today’s loan program updates build on Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman’s previous announcements that address…

HUD: Initial Recipients for Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Announced

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is pleased to announce initial recipients of technical assistance offered through its Thriving Communities Technical Assistance (TCTA) program: Syracuse, NY; Rockford, IL; Redmond, WA; and Sun Prairie, WI. TCTA is designed to help local governments ensure housing needs are addressed as part of their infrastructure investment…

HUD: First-of-its-Kind Housing Counseling Advisory Committee Meeting Announced at Japanese American National Museum

Committee meeting in Los Angeles will focus on strategies for reaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Households The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Housing Counseling is hosting its next Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee (HCFAC) meeting at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday,…

HUD: African American CEO Roundtable Discussion Convened with Leaders from the Nation’s Leading Organizations

With a mission to close the racial wealth gap and increase access to homeownership, African American industry leaders answered Secretary Fudge’s call to action. In honor of National Homeownership Month, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge met with prominent African American Leaders from across the country to discuss closing…

HUD: PAVE Task Force Announces New Actions to Address Appraisal Bias

Today, the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE), co-chaired by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, announced a set of meaningful actions to deliver on the PAVE Action Plan and ensure that every American who buys a…

HUD: Agency Commemorates National Homeownership Month with Launch of Housing Counseling Awareness Campaign

Secretary Fudge announces June 10 House Party 2.0: “Make Home the Goal” on the National Mall “Let’s Make Home the Goal” campaign highlights the benefits of housing counseling and supports efforts to close the racial homeownership gap As declared by President Biden’s Presidential Proclamation, the month of June is commemorated as National Homeownership Month. The U.S….

OCC: Acting Comptroller Discusses Financial Inclusion

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu today discussed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) commitment to a fair and inclusive financial system in remarks at the Bank On National Conference. In his remarks, the Acting Comptroller discussed progress made by the CFE Fund and Bank On partners in improving access…