Philadelphia, PA – The Shapiro Administration announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Governor Shapiro's recent request to make financial aid available to individuals and families affected by the 7400 Roosevelt Apartment Complex fire on July 11, 2024. Additionally, the Shapiro Administration has activated the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) grants for eligible renters through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
“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 provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties who sustained damages from the fire. The SBA can provide up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property. Businesses and most private non-profits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Additionally, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations located in the declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay. View details about the SBA's disaster declaration for the July 11, 2024, fire here.
Applicants may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20004.
The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Philadelphia beginning Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance.
DLOC Location
Pelbano Recreation Center
8101 Bustleton Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19152
DLOC Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday the DLOC is closed
The DLOC permanently closes on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to return SBA disaster loan applications for physical damages is September 20, 2024. The deadline to return SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) applications is April 22, 2025.
The Commonwealth DRAP grants are designed for homeowners and renters who meet lower income thresholds, are uninsured or underinsured, or have not received other local, state, federal, non-governmental, or private aid. For those who qualify, DRAP grants up to $10,000 per household can be used to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property.
Renters impacted by the 7400 Roosevelt Apartment Complex fire are encouraged to visit the PEMA website here to see if they qualify for DRAP grants.