Sunday, December 14, 2025

Altadena SBA Disaster Loan Center to Close Wednesday

In Altadena, the Small Business Administration outpost so important to Eaton Fire recovery is set to close this week. The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Altadena Community Center, along with a second location in Pacific Palisades, will permanently shut doors Wednesday, Dec. 17, according to the agency.

The Altadena site at 730 E. Altadena Drive has operated since June 2, 2025, after earlier centers in Pasadena and on West Woodbury Road closed. It has offered in?person help with disaster loan applications, portal access, and document submission for wildfire survivors. Hours before closure are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed weekends. The Pacific Palisades site at Ronald Reagan Palisades Post 283, 15247 La Cruz Drive, has kept weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended Saturday hours on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.

The SBA said declining demand for walk?in services and a transition to online support prompted the decision. “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” Chris Stallings, SBA associate administrator, said in a press release. Public Affairs Specialist Jesse Cain told ABC7 that at the centers, “applicants and survivors can come in and talk with our customer service representatives … they can look at their actual application loan, they can log into their portal.” Those services will continue remotely by phone, email, and the MySBA Loan Portal. Post?closure assistance is available at sba.gov/disaster, by calling (800) 659?2955 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or via TTY at 7?1?1.

The closures follow a timeline of federal and state disaster response to the Eaton Fire, which began Jan. 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon and spread into Altadena and Pasadena, burning 14,021 acres, destroying 9,418 structures, and killing 17 people. That same day, the Palisades Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains, growing to 23,448 acres and destroying 6,837 structures. Both fires were contained Jan. 31. Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency Jan. 7, Los Angeles County declared a local emergency the same day, and President Biden issued a major disaster declaration Jan. 8 under FEMA Disaster Number 4856?DR.

Since then, the SBA has approved more than $3.3 billion in low?interest disaster loans as of December 2025. More than 11,000 loans were approved by July 2025, including 11,500 small business loans. Loan programs include up to $500,000 for home repair, $100,000 for personal property, and up to $2 million for businesses. Terms extend up to 30 years, with no payments or interest due in the first 12 months. Total borrowing is generally capped at $2 million per disaster, with exceptions possible when jobs are at stake.

Altadena residents have had mixed experiences. Peggy Taylor told ABC7 her insurance payout was insufficient and described the SBA loan process as frustrating. Another Altadena resident, Nelly Head, praised her case manager’s communication and said the loan gave her “peace of mind” as she rebuilds.

After Dec. 17, the Altadena Community Center will remain open under Los Angeles County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, continuing to provide housing, tenant, and consumer protection services. DCBA hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., phone (626) 398?6174. Survivors still have time to file applications: the deadline for physical property damage loans is Jan. 13, 2026, and the deadline for economic injury disaster loans is Aug. 14, 2026. The SBA also allows a 60?day grace period for late applications if applicants provide an explanation.