SBA Loans Now Included in Federal Disaster Recovery Funding Data

The latest update to Carnegie's Disaster Dollar Database (DDD) expands to include data from the Small Business Administration (SBA), adding a crucial dimension to federal disaster recovery funding analysis. Previously, the DDD only encompassed data from FEMA and HUD, but with SBA loans now integrated, stakeholders gain a comprehensive view of disaster aid mechanisms cropping up in the current insurance climate. SBA disaster loans have become an increasingly vital resource for individuals and businesses unable to access adequate private insurance coverage for events like wildfires and floods. These loans are the largest source of federal assistance for rebuilding disaster-affected homes, with approvals totaling over $9.5 billion between 2003 and 2022. They cover a wide range of needs including home repairs, personal property, and business losses not covered by other programs. A notable feature of SBA disaster loans is their capacity for funding mitigation projects. Borrowers can increase loans by up to 20% to implement weatherproofing and other risk-reducing upgrades. This avenue gains importance as FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) has not had funding approvals since early 2025, signaling shifting priorities in federal mitigation funding. The SBA data incorporated runs through 2022 and reflects loan amounts authorized rather than the actual disbursed funds. Eligibility criteria for SBA disaster assistance align with major disaster declarations under the Stafford Act, linking SBA loans to FEMA's authorization status across affected counties. Recent regulatory changes have simplified the disaster recovery financing process by removing prior SBA loan application requirements for FEMA assistance, likely influencing future SBA application volumes. The update maintains FEMA data current through October 2025, whereas HUD data remains static due to no recent appropriations. This comprehensive dataset provides policymakers, insurers, and community responders with enhanced insights into federal disaster recovery funding, especially amid a complex insurance landscape with growing gaps in coverage. Ongoing updates aim to refine the tool’s usability and data completeness, supporting more informed decision-making in disaster resilience and recovery planning.