July 29, 2024 update

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open tomorrow, July 30th.

Assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on their low-interest Disaster Loan program and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program will be available.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s recovery assistance program

The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLoc) will open in Philadelphia beginning Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance. Read the July 26th update for information from the SBA regarding online assistance.

DLOC Location:
Pelbano Recreation Center
8101 Bustleton Avenue (enter off Solly Avenue)
Philadelphia, PA 19152

DLOC Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday the DLOC is closed

The DLOC permanently closes on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

July 26, 2024 update

The Shapiro Administration announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Governor Shapiro’s recent request to make financial aid available to individuals and families affected by the 7400 Roosevelt Apartment Complex fire on July 11, 2024. Additionally, the Shapiro Administration has activated the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) grants for eligible renters through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The SBA’s Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties who sustained damages from the fire. The SBA 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 non-profits may 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 SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

The SBA 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. View details about the SBA’s disaster declaration for the July 11, 2024, fire here.

Applicants may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20004.

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Philadelphia beginning Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance.

DLOC Location:
Pelbano Recreation Center
8101 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19152

DLOC Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday the DLOC is closed

The DLOC permanently closes on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to return SBA disaster loan applications for physical damages is September 20, 2024. The deadline to return SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) applications is April 22, 2025.

The Commonwealth DRAP 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, DRAP grants up to $10,000 per household can be used to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property.

Renters impacted by the 7400 Roosevelt Apartment Complex fire are encouraged to visit the PEMA website here to see if they qualify for DRAP grants.

July 25, 2024 update

Businesses and residents affected by the July 11th 4-alarm apartment complex fire at 7400 Roosevelt Apartments are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Read more in the U.S. Small Business Administration information release

The Office of Emergency Management and American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region conducted preliminary damage assessments by working with displaced residents and conducting site surveys at the fire location to evaluate and estimate loss in order to seek recovery assistance. Information collected was sent to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and SBA to determine eligibility and identify what aid may be available to disaster survivors.

July 19, 2024 update

The temporary shelter to assist displaced residents with services is closed. Residents in need of further help can visit our resource page or call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

July 16, 2024 update

A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will be opened by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania for residents displaced by the July 11th four-alarm apartment building fire at 7400 Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.

The MARC will serve as a one-stop location for residents to access different services to aid in their recovery. Those affected by the fire can find assistance with identification and document replacement, housing guidance, help with replacing certain belongings, and more.

The center is located at Northeast Community Propel Academy, 7500 Rowland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136. Enter on Shelmire Avenue next to Lincoln High School football field. It will operate from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday July 18th.

Representatives from city, state, and non-profit groups will be present, including:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
  • Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
  • American Red Cross
  • Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services
  • Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
  • Philadelphia Councilmember Mike Driscoll’s office
  • Pennsylvania State Senator Jimmy Dillon’s office
  • Lindy Property Management
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health
  • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services County Assistance Office
  • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement
  • The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services
  • Nationalities Service Center
  • Philabundance
  • Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (SEPA VOAD)

Residents are asked to bring a form of identification, if possible, to help in any disaster casework.

In-person language translation services in Spanish and Dari will be available with access to virtual translation assistance for other languages.

July 14, 2024 update

Shelter assistance remains available for people needing temporary lodging. The location has transitioned from Samuel Fels High School to a new location at 600 E. Luzerne Street. Residents in need of assistance should call 1-800-RED-CROSS or property management.

July 13, 2024 update

If you’re experiencing emotional distress, a mental health crisis, or want someone to talk to, the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services has resources on their website or you can dial 988.

July 12, 2024 post

There is assistance from the city and partner organizations for residents displaced by the July 11th four-alarm apartment building fire at 7400 Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM), in partnership with the American Red Cross, is managing a shelter at Samuel Fels High School, located at 5500 Langdon Street, to offer displaced residents temporary lodging, meals, access to shower and bathroom facilities, mental health and spiritual care, and connections to disaster recovery services. The School District of Philadelphia and Salvation Army Philadelphia are supporting shelter operations.

If you are in need of shelter or any other services, please visit Fels High School 24 hours a day.

Additionally, OEM is conducting damage assessment at the fire site today with City departments and the Red Cross to evaluate the extent of damage and identify available assistance for residents.

Any resident that experienced damage from the fire is asked to call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767) to connect with support services and help us understand the impact of the fire.

Residents should also make sure they are connected to property management and are checking email for direct outreach and updates from them.

Donations are not being accepted at this time as residents needs are being assessed.

Updates will be published on our social media accounts along with the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania region.

Individuals affected by the fire can text RECOVERPHL to 888777 to receive updates throughout the recovery process.

The cause and origin are under investigation by the Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF with assistance from the Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. The ATF involvement is standard in fires of this size and scope and does not indicate a cause.