WHER Chat: SBA Disaster Assistance for California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by Severe Storms & Flooding

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza announced the SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses in California regions that have been economically impacted by the severe storms and flooding that occurred in San Bernardino County Nov. 27- Dec. 1, 2019. The disaster declaration was made on Feb. 12, 2020, following a request from Governor Gavin Newsom’s representative Mark S. Ghilarducci. 

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WHER Chat: California is Home to Top Cities for Minority-Owned Startups

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Ecommerce software platform Volusion released a report on the top places in the United States with the greatest share of minority-owned startups. Their findings show that five out of the top 15 metropolitan areas with the highest share of minority-owned startups are in California, and only the top nine areas have more than 40 percent minority-owned startups. 

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California’s Cooling Housing Market to Continue into 2020

The latest UCLA Anderson Forecast of California’s economic and housing market reports that housing will continue to cool into the year 2020 despite current job growth and strong economy. The economists attribute the weakening to falling home prices in major markets and decreased demand.

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How the Passing of Bill SB 826 Stands to Disrupt California Real Estate Businesses

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In September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the SB 826 bill into law, a landmark legislation requiring female representation on corporate boards. Specifically, the bill requires that at least one woman be on the board of publicly-held companies in California by year-end 2019. Despite concerns over its potential efficacy, the bill is an important step in diversity and inclusion, as well as for the advancement of women.

In an official letter, Governor Brown stated, “There have been numerous objections to this bill and serious legal concerns have been raised. I don’t minimize the potential flaws that indeed may prove fatal to its ultimate implementation.” He continued, “Given all the special privileges that corporations have enjoyed for so long, it’s high time corporate boards include the people who constitute more than half the ‘persons’ in America.”

How does this concern real estate? Publicly-held real estate companies in California are most likely to be affected by this new legislation, requiring female representation on their boards. This might be a productive start for increasing the share of women in areas where they’re greatly underrepresented, such as commercial real estate.

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California Fires in Butte, LA, and Ventura Counties, CA: Resources for Safety Preparedness and Financial Recovery

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After dealing with numerous deadly fires earlier this year, California is currently dealing with three major wildfires, including the Camp Fire in Butte County, the Woosley Fire in Los Angeles County and the Hill Fire in Ventura County. California Governor-elect Gavin Newsom recently issued emergency proclamations in response to the wildfires and requested  statewide FEMA Emergency Declaration. While Cal Fire firefighters still work hard to contain these fires and affected homeowners plan their next steps, it is important to know about the available resources for financial and physical damage recovery.

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Governor Brown Passes SB 826 Bill Requiring Women on Corporate Boards

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California Governor Jerry Brown signed the SB 826 “Women on Corporate Boards” bill this past weekend, a landmark legislation requiring female representation on corporate boards. Specifically, SB 826 requires that at least one woman be on the board of publicly held companies in California by year end 2019. Despite concerns over its potential efficacy, the bill is an important step in diversity and inclusion, as well as for the advancement of women.

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NAWRB Writes Supporting Letter for California Bill SB 826

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June 21, 2018

The Hon. Monique Limon
Chair, Banking and Finance Committee
California State Assembly
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA

Dear Hon. Monique Limon,

This letter expresses the support of Women in the Housing & Real Estate Ecosystem (NAWRB) for the passing of SB 826, “Women on Corporate Boards.” Having diverse members on corporate boards is not only an ethical decision—it’s good for business. Credit Suisse research demonstrated that companies are more profitable and more productive when they have at least three women directors on their boards, especially in return on equity and stock performance.

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