Inaugural State Advocacy Day

The Louisiana Mortgage Bankers Association (LMBA) hosted its inaugural Advocacy Day at the Louisiana State Capitol on April 1, 2026, bringing together more than 100 mortgage professionals to engage legislators on key housing priorities including affordability, insurance reform, and disaster resilience. LMBA reaffirmed its strong alignment with the Louisiana Department of Insurance and Commissioner Tim Temple in tackling the state’s insurance crisis, while reinforcing its role as a trusted industry partner in shaping practical housing policy. Below you can find a summary of the major talking points discussed during Advocacy Day, reflecting the industry’s priorities and the real challenges facing Louisiana homeowners. The day concluded on an inspiring note with Representative Kim Carver expressing enthusiasm and optimism for the future of Louisiana’s housing industry, underscoring the power of direct collaboration between legislators and mortgage professionals.

Talking Points

  • Urge the legislature to support programs that make
    homeownership attainable for Louisiana families by
    expanding access to affordable mortgage products.
  • Advocate for incentives that encourage the
    development of affordable housing units and address
    the shortage of homes for low- and moderate-income
    residents.
  • Highlight the importance of tackling rising property
    values and stagnant wages, which continue to limit
    opportunities for first-time buyers.

  • Emphasize the burden of rising property and flood
    insurance premiums, which are pricing out many
    homeowners, especially in coastal and high-risk flood
    zones.
  • Encourage the creation of state-level solutions or
    reforms to improve insurance affordability and stability,
    such as public insurance options or rate caps.
  • Request legislative action to strengthen the National
    Flood Insurance Program and address gaps in coverage
    and excessive costs for Louisiana residents.

  • Advocate for expanding fortified housing grant
    programs that help homeowners retrofit their homes
    for resilience against hurricanes, flooding, and severe
    weather.
  • Ask for streamlined grant application processes and
    wider eligibility so more Louisianans can benefit from
    home hardening initiatives.
  • Explain how fortified homes reduce insurance
    premiums and property losses, providing long-term
    security for families and communities.

  • Push for increased funding and coordination in disaster
    recovery programs to help homeowners rebuild quickly
    and efficiently after storms or flooding.
  • Highlight the need for resilient infrastructure and
    planning that protects communities and preserves
    property values in the face of frequent natural disasters.
  • Encourage proactive measures such as improved
    drainage and levee systems to mitigate the impact of
    future weather events.

  • Promote public outreach and education campaigns that
    empower Louisiana residents, especially in underserved
    areas, to navigate the mortgage process and
    understand their options.
  • Support resources for financial literacy and first-time
    homebuyer counseling to reduce barriers to
    homeownership.
  • Recommend partnerships between lenders, nonprofits,
    and the state to help residents access down payment
    assistance and other support tools.