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SBA official urges wildfire survivors to apply for disaster loans, outlines deadlines and application options
Summary
Natalie Longwell of the U.S. Small Business Administration briefed the council on disaster loans for wildfire survivors, noting loan caps (businesses up to $2 million; homeowners up to $500,000), mitigation funding up to 20% of verified loss, and two local disaster recovery centers; physical damage deadline extended to March 31 and economic injury deadline is Oct. 6.
Natalie Longwell, public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience in Los Angeles, asked La Habra Heights residents affected by recent wildfires or straight‑line winds to consider SBA disaster loans as a recovery option and walked the council through eligibility, loan amounts and application paths.
What SBA offers: Longwell said businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged buildings and equipment. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair primary residences, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 to replace contents. Mitigation funding can be requested for up to 20% of the total verified physical loss, and interest rates vary by applicant type and terms; staff emphasized there is no cost to apply and no obligation to accept a loan if approved.
Deadlines and where to apply: Longwell said the physical damage application deadline was extended to March 31 and the economic‑injury deadline is Oct. 6. She described three application methods: online at lending.sba.gov, by email or phone (800‑659‑2955), or in person at one of two disaster recovery centers (540 W. Woodbury Road in Altadena and UCLA Research Park West at 1850 W. Pico Blvd.). She encouraged affected residents to apply even if they later decide not to take the loan.
Follow up and outreach: Council thanked Longwell and asked clarifying questions about declared disaster boundaries (Longwell said the declared area for physical damages covers all of Los Angeles County and economic injury includes LA, Orange, Ventura and San Bernardino counties).
