As climate change exacerbates the frequency and cost of extreme weather events, Project 2025 proposes eliminating aid for families and businesses rebuilding after storms. New analysis from the Center for American Progress (CAP) highlights that the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program disproportionately aids individuals in Southern states on the Gulf Coast, such as Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, which are often hit hardest by extreme weather events.
Some key takeaways include:
From 1980 to 1989, the federal government declared 286 disasters. In contrast, from 2014 to 2023, this number more than quadrupled to 1,267. Project 2025 also suggests that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should increase the threshold for disaster declarations. This change would make it more challenging for states and localities—and consequently, families and businesses—to qualify for federal aid following a disaster.
The total cost of billion-dollar disasters has surged over the past two decades. Since 2017, more than $28 billion in disaster loans have been disbursed to affected applicants through over 341,569 loans. According to Project 2025's analysis, approximately 90 percent of this aid benefits individuals such as homeowners rather than small businesses. While these loans are vital for local economic recovery, they play an even more crucial role in helping individuals and families begin their recovery process.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans rely on SBA assistance to rebuild after disasters. Since 2017, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana have consistently benefited most in terms of absolute numbers of approved disaster loans and received aid.
“No one can stop disasters like Hurricane Debby from striking,” said David Ballard, associate director for economic policy at CAP. “But we can expect our government to be prepared to act swiftly and efficiently when they do—especially as these tragedies become more common and more devastating due to climate change.” He added that "the far-right architects of Project 2025 would abandon American families and small businesses in a time of crisis," leaving them with fewer resources to rebuild their lives.
Read the column: “Project 2025 Proposes Eliminating Aid for Families and Businesses Rebuilding After Storms” by David Ballard
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Jasmine Razeghi at [email protected].
