Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s Bill to Improve Language Accessibility for Mortgage Borrowers Passes House

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia's (TX-29) Improving Language Access in Mortgage Servicing Act --a bill to improve language accessibility for mortgage borrowers regarding their loan servicing -- was passed by the House of Representatives.

The bill will establish language access requirements for home mortgage loan officers and servicing companies so that they may better serve borrowers whose primary language is not English.

"Homeownership is key to attaining the American dream for most first-generation families, immigrants, and underrepresented minorities across our nation," said Congresswoman Garcia. "From firsthand experience, I've seen the uphill battles language barriers create for residents across my district, Texas, and the country. Ensuring fair and equal access to home buying for everyone, regardless of their primary language, must be a priority. This bill is a massive step towards a more equitable country where all residents can thrive."

"Expanding language accessibility in the home lending industry has been a key priority that I have long fought for. I have previously been in touch with the directors of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as previously introduced legislation requiring lenders to ask an applicant's language preference during the homebuying process," Congressman Al Green said. "I am proud to be a co-sponsor of my colleague Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia's H.R. 3009 Improving Language in Mortgage Servicing Act. We must eliminate as many barriers to homeownership as possible and ensure every American has the language-related resources and services they need to own a home."

Under this legislation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will provide language resources for mortgage lenders and servicing companies to better serve borrowers whose primary language is not English. This bill would also require relevant federal agencies to provide language resources to assist mortgage lenders and servicing companies to better meet the needs of their borrowers.

The Improving Language Access in Mortgage Servicing Act passed the House as part of a large bill package, H.R. 2543, The Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act.

Find the full text of H.R. 3009, Improving Language Access in Mortgage Servicing Act, here.

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