PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Governor Shapiro’s request for financial aid for individuals affected by the Roosevelt Apartment Complex fire on July 11, 2024. The Shapiro Administration has also activated the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) grants for eligible renters.
“This fire pushed at least 50 people from their homes and greatly impacted the Roosevelt Boulevard community,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “The Shapiro Administration worked with the federal government to open up access to low-interest loans, and PEMA will activate the Commonwealth’s disaster grant program as tools to ensure those impacted by this fire have the support they need to recoup unexpected losses.”
The SBA’s Disaster Loan program offers low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses in the disaster area. Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace primary residences, while renters can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property. Businesses and private non-profits can apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not covered by insurance.
Small businesses and non-profits suffering substantial economic injury may be eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The SBA provides long-term repayment options up to 30 years, based on the borrower’s ability to repay.
Applicants can obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20004. A Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open in Philadelphia on July 30 at Pelbano Recreation Center, 8101 Bustleton Avenue, and will operate Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will close permanently on August 16.
Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website and mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The deadline for physical damage loan applications is September 20, 2024, and the deadline for economic injury loan applications is April 22, 2025.
The Commonwealth DRAP grants provide up to $10,000 per household for uninsured or underinsured renters to repair homes, cover temporary housing, or replace essential personal property. Renters affected by the fire are encouraged to visit the PEMA website to see if they qualify for these grants.
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