Sunset Park Fire Victims Can Get Federal Disaster Relief

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Victims of the massive blaze that ripped through a 44th Street apartment building in April can now apply for disaster relief from the federal government.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing disaster assistance to residents and businesses that were affected by the six-alarm fire, whichgutted the 702 44th St. building and left more than 120 people displaced. Fire officials announced this week that the fire, which injured 23 residents and firefighters as it ripped through the top floors, was caused accidentally by an unattended candle.

The SBA said that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter requesting the help in late June, which was then authorized by SBA Acting Administrator Christopher Pilkerton. The disaster declaration will cover neighbors affected by the fire through SBA’s physical loan and Economic Injury Disaster loan programs in the five boroughs.

“SBA is here on the ground ready, willing and prepared to help New Yorkers rebuild and recover from this devastating apartment fire," said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Steve Bulger who oversees the federal agency operations in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With the assistance, homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate, based on need. Both homeowners and renters can borrow up to $40,000 for personal property, meaning a homeowner could borrow up to $240,000 and a renter up to $40,000, also based on need, the agency said.

The SBA Office of Disaster Assistance opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at P.S. 131 on Fort Hamilton Parkway on Tuesday to help residents fill out the applications and answer questions about the program.

Home-based businesses in the Sunset Park apartment building for three or more years can also be eligible for up to $2 million in disaster or economic injury loans. All federal assistance loan applications require proper documentation.

The Center will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until next Tuesday, July 16, when it closes. It will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13.

The SBA office will also hold a community meeting along with U.S. Rep. Nydia Valazquez's office at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the Center for Family Life on 39th Street.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is August 23, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 24, 2020.

Applicants may also apply online until the application deadline using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

Businesses may also 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. Hard loan application copies can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Completed paper applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.