Warwick Condo Residents eligible for disaster loans
By Matt Blanchette
@mattblanchette
There is still no official cause in that massive condo fire that left dozens of people homeless in Warwick.Those residents are trying to start their lives over and they’re now eligible for federal assistance.
Nancy and Richard Kasper are now living in their son’s basement after the March fire at the Westgate Condos in Warwick left them without a home.
They feel fortunate to have a place to go, but it needs help.
“We have to put a bulk head in. It’s not safe without one,” Richard said.
The couple is understandably taking every measure in case of another fire, but cannot afford to make those changes to their son’s home.
That’s where the Small Business Association steps in.
“There is really no one just standing around saying, you lost everything, do this do this. and at least we can give some direction, here’s what you want to do. Here’s what we can do, let’s figure out how to get everything together,” Fred Wagner of the U.S. SBA said.
Three people from the SBA will be at the Warwick library through next Thursday to help folks apply for low–interest loans.
The Kaspers spent about an hour applying today, which is just another step in what’s been a long process, trying to get their lives back in order.
“Everyone does that. Everyone has their own personal moving forward type of thing. They are not going to replace the things they had, but they do put down for the liability that they lost and they move on,” Richard said.
“You can’t pay rent and mortgage at the same time and we have the opportunity to live with my son, but we just need the bulk head,” Nancy added.
And they hope this loan, will help.
To apply for a loan go to the Warwick Library at the following times.
Hours of operation: Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Or go to www.sba.gov/disaster. You can also call (800) 659-2955
