After the Riots / NEWS IN BRIEF : Campaign Seeks to Assist Disaster Loan Applicants

City officials are mounting a campaign to increase the numbers of applicants for Small Business Administration disaster loans before the deadline, which has been extended one month to Aug. 15.

Beginning Wednesday, riot victims who wish to apply for loans will be able to obtain one-on-one help completing applications at four loan centers. In addition, the city will hold a loan workshop at the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 11.

The SBA has turned over to the city the names of more than 7,500 riot victims who have not returned loan applications. Officials believe that the complexity of the forms, and language barriers, may have hampered many would-be applicants.

Lists of volunteers to help applicants have been supplied by the UCLA and USC business schools, the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. and accounting firms, among others. Knowledgeable volunteers are needed.

The city also is receiving help from Ticketmaster, which is providing its telephone order staff to call each of the 7,500 riot victims to assess their needs and set up appointments.

The loan assistance centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Centers in Los Angeles are at 3407 W. 6th St., 4030 Crenshaw Blvd. and L.A. Trade Technical College, 400 W. Washington Blvd., Room 120, Building D. In Compton, a center will open at 307 Tamarind Ave.