For physical rebuilding, SBA provides separate disaster loans — up to $500,000 for homeowners, up to $50,000 unsecured for personal property , refinancing options when insurance is insufficient, and mitigation loans that help rebuild stronger against future events. “These low-interest loans allow us to help people who may not have other options,” Stallings says.
If one leg stalls, recovery slows. People need security and stability.”
She encourages industry leaders to prepare before the next storm.
“Meet with your state recovery officials annually,” she says. “Understand the strategy and how you can shorten the runway for rebuilding.” Because speed is not only about construction timelines. It is about retaining workforce and stabilizing communities. “You don’t want to lose employees,” she says. “Housing needs to stand back up quickly.” Growth in Stable Times Outside of disaster response, SBA’s mission remains equally vital.
“We take pride in getting to yes.”
Builders and the Race Back to Housing For contractors and developers, SBA disaster financing operates much like a traditional construction loan. “Homeowners can draw down funds during construction once permits are in place,” Stallings explains. Shimkat describes recovery as a coordinated system. “It’s a three- legged stool,” she says. “Financing, permitting, and coordination.
“The first thing I tell business owners is know your numbers,” Shimkat says.
Revenue alone does not determine sustainability. “Sales can look strong,” she explains, “but if net income is low, you have to examine costs. What can I control? What can’t I?”
“These low-interest loans allow us to help people who may not have other options, We take pride in getting to yes.”
—Chris Stallings
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2026 DISASTERS & RESILIENT CITIES EXPO MIAMI EDITION
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