Sunday, January 25, 2026

SBA Disaster Loan Services Return to Area This Week

In-person assistance resumes Tuesday at the Collaboratory, more than a month after previous location closed

The Small Business Administration is reopening in-person disaster loan assistance in Altadena on Tuesday, returning federal help to the community more than a month after its previous location closed.

Representatives will be stationed at the Collaboratory, 540 W. Woodbury Road, starting at 1 p.m. on January 27. The site will offer walk-in service Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The SBA has approved more than $3.2 billion in disaster loans for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, according to the agency, though permitting delays have allowed fewer than 15% of destroyed homes to receive rebuild approvals.

The Collaboratory has served as the central hub for fire recovery services since opening in October 2025. The space—a former Jet Propulsion Laboratory facility—houses the Eaton Fire Collaborative, a coalition of more than 200 community groups, nonprofits, and government partners working on long-term recovery.

“The Collaboratory represents an important and visible milestone in the collaborative’s mission to unify precious resources, assistance, and information so that survivors can take control of their recovery,” Antonio Manning, chair of the Eaton Fire Collaborative, said at the hub’s opening.

The SBA’s previous Altadena site, at the Altadena Community Center on East Altadena Drive, closed December 17, 2025. Since then, survivors seeking in-person help had to travel to the Pasadena City College Community Education Center on East Foothill Boulevard.

SBA disaster loans offer homeowners up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence, with interest rates as low as 2.563%. Renters and homeowners can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property. Businesses may apply for up to $2 million. Loan terms extend up to 30 years, and interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months after the first disbursement.

On January 7, the one-year anniversary of the fire, the SBA extended disbursement deadlines for approved loans to June 30, 2026, citing delays in local permitting that have prevented borrowers from beginning construction.

A recent survey by the Eaton Fire Collaborative found that 45% of homeowners who lost their homes remain in search of permanent housing. Nearly three-quarters of renters who lost homes are still looking.

Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov. Applications can also be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster. For questions, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are survivors helping survivors,” said Bree Jensen, vice chair of the Eaton Fire Collaborative. “This Collaboratory is more than just a physical space—it’s a home for survivorship.”