SBA Offers Disaster Assistance

Florida businesses and residents affected by the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Miami-Dade County on June 24, 2021 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced today.

Administrator Guzman made the loans available in response to a letter from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ representative on June 26, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Miami-Dade County and the adjacent counties of Broward, Collier and Monroe in Florida.

“The SBA is strongly committed to ensuring Floridians receive a swift and effective response to help communities recover after the Surfside condominium collapse,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman. “Getting our businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters up and running after a disaster with the help of our specialized loans is our highest priority at SBA.”

To assist businesses and residents affected by the disaster, the SBA opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at 12 p.m. Thursday, July 1 at the Family Assistance Center, Sea View Hotel, 9909 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL 33154. Customer Service Representatives will be available at the DLOC to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. Visitors to the DLOC are encouraged to wear a face mask. The center will stay open until further notice.

Miami-Dade County Family Assistance Center
Sea View Hotel 9909 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour, FL 33154
Opened Thursday, July 1, 2021 Until Further Notice
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days a week

Contact Information
SBA Phone number, 1800-659-2955
Phone number for the deaf or hard-of-hearing: 1800-877-8339.
DisasterCustomerService@Sba.gov
Apply now at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/article/Apply-For-A-Disaster-Loan or go to the center in Bay Harbour

“Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said SBA’s South Florida’s Acting District Director Gregory Hall.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Kem Fleming, center director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 2.88 percent for businesses, 2.00 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.625 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/article/Apply-For-A-Disaster-Loan and should apply under SBA declaration # 17005, not for the COVID-19 incident. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is August 30, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 29, 2022.

Information for Victims and Families
In coordination with the Town of Surfside, Miami-Dade County is providing briefings on a regular basis to the families impacted by the Surfside building collapse to share the latest updates on the investigation. Those families can call 305-614-1819 or visit www.MiamiDade.gov/emergency

Surfside Families
Surfside Family Information & Assistance System
https://www.surfsidefamilies.com/s/

Surfside Strength
Support and Assistance for Champlain Tower South Victim
https://surfsidestrength.com

Support Surfside
Help Those Impacted by the Surfside Building Collapse
https://supportsurfside.org

Family Reunification Hotline
305.614.1819

Families of missing loved ones who have not yet spoken with County detectives, please visit 9301 Collins Avenue (Town of Surfside Community Center) to speak in person with a detective. Detectives are available 24 hours/day.