The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing low-interest loans to tenants displaced by the historic six-alarm fire at The Cooper in Fort Worth, which occurred on June 23 and affected over 800 people. The disaster-related loans, with a maximum amount of $100,000, are available for residents whose personal property was damaged.
SBA spokesperson Africa Rosas emphasized that the loan payments are deferred for 12 months, with interest rates as low as 2.813%. However, some former tenants have expressed reluctance to apply for the loans due to concerns about credit history and unfiled taxes. Rosas assured that the SBA does not automatically reject applications based on low credit scores.
Residents who owned a business operating from their apartment may be eligible for an additional loan with a starting interest rate of 3.6255% and up to $2 million in working capital. Applications for physical damage loans must be submitted by September 15, while those for economic injury loans related to businesses are due on April 17.
Residents can apply online at sba.gov/disaster or visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 1100 Hemphill St.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/08/03/following-fire-cooper-residents-eligible-for-federal-disaster-loans-heres-how-to-apply