RECORDING: Online Forum with the SBA
LOUISIANA REALTORS • April 6, 2020
Louisiana REALTORS® hosted Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy Director of the Deputy Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Office, and Susheel Kumar, Public Information Officer, for the U.S. Small Business Office of Disaster Assistance, Field Operations Center – West, to provide a high-level overview of SBA programs available to assist businesses during this current crisis.
With over 1,000 REALTORS from around the state tuning it, we have made this recording available for playback along with a copy of the presentation for reference. This recording is approximately 1 hour in length and provides information on various SBA programs available to assist REALTORS® who have experienced business losses and setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
One important item to note is that good record-keeping throughout the process is essential. In order to apply and for funds to possibly be forgiven you will need to provide information and demonstrate the qualifying amount to your lender and/or the SBA. Additionally, the SBA has moved swiftly to make these funds available and the SBA and lenders alike are still putting some processes into place to administer these programs. We are all reminded to be patient, yet persistent.
It is difficult to determine what is best for each business owner’s situation. In real estate, there are a wide range of business models and what is right for one model may not be right for another. Therefore, Louisiana REALTORS® suggests you consult with your accountant and financial advisor or talk with your business banking institution to determine the option that is best suited for your needs. A consolidated list of the more common and general questions following the call will be posted at a later date.
For more information always check back to: SBA and LED Financial Assistance
and the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Assistance for Small Businesses
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Stay ahead of the Louisiana housing market by understanding how legislation impacts listings, inventory, buyer qualification, and long-term real estate growth.
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.
