SBA Approves City of Fort Lauderdale Request to Assist Sunnyreach Acres Residents

Residents affected by March 10th fire may apply for low interest loans

Matt Little, Public Information Specialist
(954) 828-4732 or MLittle@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale - The City of Fort Lauderdale’s request for federal assistance to help residents affected by the March 10, 2008 fire at Sunnyreach Acres has been approved. Low-interest disaster loans will be made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

On Monday, April 14, 2008, the SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be on hand at Sunnyreach Acres to issue loan applications, answer questions about the SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.

Low interest loans aimed at helping residents replace their belongings damaged by the fire will be available at rates ranging from 2.75% to 5.5%.

To provide easy access to eligible residents, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Emergency Management Department worked with the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority to secure space for the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Sunnyreach Acres site.

SBA representatives will be on-site starting at 1 p.m. on Monday at the Sunnyreach Acres Community Room, 100 SW 18th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The outreach office will be open on weekdays through April 24th from 8:30am – 5pm and on Saturday from 10:00am – 2pm.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the outreach center in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling toll free (800) 659-2955. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 9, 2008. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 9, 2009.