Governor Abbott moves to secure federal aid for families impacted by Fort Worth apartment blaze

Fort Worth, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid Texans affected by last month’s devastating apartment complex fire in Fort Worth. If approved, the declaration would unlock federal disaster loans for residents directly impacted by the fire, providing much-needed relief as they work to recover and rebuild.

“The devastation caused by the Fort Worth apartment fire has left many Texans facing significant loss and hardship,” said Governor Abbott. “This disaster declaration from the SBA will help ensure those affected have access to the critical resources they need to recover and rebuild. I thank the brave firefighters and first responders whose swift action helped protect lives and contain the damage. Texas stands ready to support these residents every step of the way.”

Path to Federal Assistance

The governor’s request follows a detailed damage assessment carried out by local, state, and federal officials. This assessment determined that the scale of destruction meets the federally mandated thresholds for SBA aid, making it eligible for federal support.

If granted, the SBA disaster declaration would allow qualifying Texans to access low-interest loans through SBA disaster programs. These loans are designed to help individuals and families cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property, including homes, personal belongings, and, in some cases, small business assets.

The Fort Worth fire has left many families without homes and struggling to recover from significant losses. With the governor’s proactive request, state and federal agencies are working to ensure affected residents have access to resources that can help them stabilize their lives.

Texans impacted by the fire are urged to stay informed on the status of the SBA declaration and potential next steps should the request be approved.