S.Amdt. 4369

This amendment, proposed by Ms. Rosen for bill H.R. 6644, aims to add a section focused on interagency coordination to support housing industry businesses.

The purpose of this amendment is to have the Administrator of the Small Business Administration coordinate with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to achieve the following:

• Improve access to capital for housing industry small businesses, including those in rural areas.
• Streamline and increase awareness of technical assistance, resources, counseling services, and financial programs provided by both agencies.
• Reduce barriers that prevent people from starting and growing a housing industry small business.

Additionally, the amendment requires the Administrator and the Secretary to develop an interagency plan within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This plan must be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees and made public on a website. The plan will include:

• An examination of current gaps in financial and technical assistance.
• Reforms to expand access to loans, which could include expanding eligibility for current programs or creating new loan products.
• New programming or resources tailored to housing industry small businesses, such as joint workshops and trainings.
• Processes for sharing information and best practices between the two agencies.
• Coordinated support through resource partners like women's business centers, Veteran Outreach Business Centers, and small business development centers.
• Support for startups creating innovative housing products by reducing barriers to specific innovation programs or creating new initiatives.

The amendment also specifies that the Administrator and Secretary must partner with nonprofit organizations, community groups, housing industry small businesses, and State and local governments to create this plan.