Overview
A fire displaced 58 Pennsylvanians from their homes and greatly impacted the greater Squirrel Hill community on Sept. 9, 2025. Help has been made available by the federal and state government as individuals and businesses recover.
What Help Do I Qualify For?
Help is available for homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, and people who are living on a lower income. See the categories below to decide which help is best for your needs.
Damage Loans
What this is: The U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program.
What it's for: Replacing/repairing primary residences and covering disaster losses for businesses.
Who's eligible: Homeowners, private nonprofits, and business who sustained damage from the fire.
How much can I get? Homeowners: Up to $500,000 to replace or repair your primary residence and up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property. Businesses and most private nonprofits: Up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Benefits: Long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to 30 years.
Application deadline: Nov. 21, 2025.
How to Apply
By Phone
Call the customer service center for information and loan applications.
Online
Download applications on the Small Business Administration website. Complete and mail 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.
Economic Injury Loans
What this is: The U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program for businesses/nonprofits in the disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury.
What it's for: Covering losses not fully covered by insurance.
Who's eligible: Businesses and most nonprofits.
How much can I get? Up to $2 million.
Benefits: Long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to 30 years.
Application deadline: June 22, 2026.
How to Apply
By Phone
Call the customer service center for information and loan applications.
Online
Download applications on the Small Business Administration website. Complete and mail 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.
Low-Income Grants
What this is: Disaster Recovery Assistance Program grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
What it's for: Temporary housing/rental expenses, replacing essential personal property.
Who's eligible: 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.
How much can I get? Up to $15,000.
Benefits: Does not need to be repaid.
