PITTSBURGH – The Shapiro Administration announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Josh Shapiro’s recent request to make financial aid available to individuals and families affected by the Sept. 9 fire at the Jefferson Apartment Complex, located at 5660-5680 Forward Ave. in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, the Shapiro Administration has activated the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, which provides grants for eligible renters through Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
“This fire displaced 58 people from their homes and greatly impacted the greater Squirrel Hill community. The Shapiro Administration worked with the federal government to quickly 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."
– PEMA Director Randy Padfield
Federal Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration's disaster loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and businesses who sustained damages from the fire. The program 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 nonprofits can 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 Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
The Small Business Administration 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.
Get information and loan applications right away by calling the customer service center at 800-659-2955 or TTY/TDD 800-877-8339.
You also can get info by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Be sure to reference Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20024.
Loan applications can also be downloaded on the Small Business Administration website. Completed applications should be mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Get Help In Person
The Small Business Administration will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to provide in-person assistance for those who would like to apply. Visiting the center is not required to obtain assistance, but is an option for those who would like to use it.
Location
The Frick Environmental Center at 2005 Beechwood Blvd.
Hours of Operation
The center opens at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.
It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its final day of operation is Friday, Oct. 10.
Application Deadlines
The deadline to return disaster loan applications for physical damages is Nov. 21, 2025. The deadline to return Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is June 22, 2026.
Disaster Recovery Assistance Program Grants
These Commonwealth 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, the program grants up to $15,000 per household which can be used to cover temporary housing and rental expenses or replace essential personal property.
The application portal will open Friday, September 26, 2025.