Include Mitigation Money In Your SBA Home Repair Disaster Loan

» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes

MONTGOMERY,Ala.(rushprnews) April 5, 2007- – Homes and businesses damaged by the March 1 tornadoes can be built back safer and stronger with mitigation funds that are part of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans.

SBA makes funds available to approved disaster loan recipients for mitigation – measures you can take to make your building more resistant to damage should the same type of disaster strike again.

If you qualify, you may borrow money for mitigating measures such as bracing (using foundation bolts and reinforcements), and building a safe room to provide greater protection from the high winds of tornadoes and hurrianes.

Information on safe rooms and other mitigation measures is available on the web site for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.FEMA.gov. 

Applicants approved for SBA disaster loans to repair or replace a structure may borrow up to an additional 20 percent of the approved loan amount for measures to protect against the same kind of disaster that caused the damage.

You must indicate on your SBA loan application that you wish to apply for additional funds for mitigation and, before the loan is approved, must indicate the type of mitigating measures you plan to undertake and estimated costs. Eligibility for hazard mitigation only applies to the damaged property. If  applicants choose to relocate, they are not eligible for mitigation assistance for a new home.

Applications are available by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 for the hearing-impaired, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Go to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance for more information on SBA disaster loans.

To be eligible for SBA disaster loans, you must first register with FEMA. Alabama residents affected by the March 1 storms and tornadoes are urged to register for assistance by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The TTY number is (800) 462-7585 for those who are speech or hearing impaired. Applicants can also register on line at www.fema.gov.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights.  If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.  However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.
Release Date: April 5, 2007
Release Number: 1687-047

Last Modified: Thursday, 05-Apr-2007 11:46:21

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