Governor Corbett: Disaster Assistance Approved for Victims of Philadelphia Apartment Building Fire

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved his request and declared Philadelphia a disaster area after a devastating fire in a 90-unit apartment building left more than 100 people homeless earlier this month.

"It's a relief to know that financial assistance is on the way to help victims of this devastating fire," Governor Corbett said. "We appreciate the SBA's quick response to our request so that residents can get their lives back to normal as soon as possible."  

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial qualifications.

The SBA will establish a disaster loan outreach center at the Salvation Army Corps Center - Arch Street Entrance, 5501 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19139. The outreach center will be open Tuesday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the center in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].  

Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Victims may apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Default.aspx.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 28, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 25, 2011.  

This declaration covers Philadelphia County and the adjacent counties of Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester in New Jersey.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor