Third Ward Disaster Recovery Center Transitions To SBA Center 

Release Date: January 13, 2009
Release Number: 1791-364

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Harris County's Third Ward Disaster Recovery Center will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Jan. 16.

The Disaster Recovery Center, located at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center at 3611 Ennis St. in Houston, will cease operations at the close of business on Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. and become an SBA outreach center on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. at the same location and operate from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, until further notice.

At an SBA outreach center, homeowners, renters and business owners can get assistance with applying for SBA low-interest disaster loans and find answers to their questions about the SBA disaster loan program. SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed by the disaster. So far, SBA has approved almost $501 million in low-interest disaster loans to Texas residents and businesses.

The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to cover the uncompensated losses for personal contents up to $40,000 for both homeowners and renters and up to $200,000 for homeowners for physical damage to their primary residence.  The SBA also provides low-interest loans up to $2 million for uncompensated physical losses suffered by businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations.  Additionally, working capital loans are available for economic injuries sustained by small businesses in the declared counties and the adjoining counties.  The combination of the two business loans cannot exceed $2 million.  For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), or visit SBA's website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Residents can still apply for federal disaster assistance until Feb. 6 or follow up on their applications by going online to www.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Jan-2009 09:15:18