Special Needs Assistance Program Helps Family Repair Two Homes

MONROE, La., Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When it rained, it poured for 62-year-old Odell Mathews of Monroe, Louisiana. Rainstorms meant the hallway of his home would collect water because of a leaky roof.

For his bed-ridden mother, Annie B. Matthews, the challenge was getting out of her front door. There was no ramp to help medical workers ease the necessary stretcher outside. (Mother and son spell their last names differently due to an error on Odell Mathews' birth certificate.) 

Both Mr. Mathews and his mother received much-needed help to repair each of their homes last year with the assistance of the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas).

SNAP was established in 2009, and grants are made available to consumers through FHLB Dallas' member institutions. In this case, the grants were awarded through Community Trust Bank in Monroe. The program pays for home repairs and modifications for income-eligible, special-needs residents.

"I was in desperate need of a new roof, and my finances were not up to par," Mr. Mathews said. "I'm on a limited retirement income. I'm not disabled but I do have some medical issues."

His home hadn't had a new roof in 25 to 30 years because the cost was prohibitive, he said. But rainwater started leaking through a closet ceiling and onto the hallway floor, further deteriorating his home. Mr. Mathews heard about SNAP through word-of-mouth and decided that he and his mother should apply.

"It meant everything to me," Mr. Mathews said of the SNAP assistance. "It was the greatest blessing that I've received in a long time."

Mr. Mathews received $6,500 for a new roof, and his mother received $5,000 for a new heating unit, a window-unit air conditioner, and a cement ramp at her front door.

"She was very enthused and appreciative," Mr. Mathews said of his mother. "It was a great blessing for her, as well. I just appreciate the SNAP grant program and hope it continues to provide help to those in need."

Sheila Grayson, vice president and CRA officer at Community Trust Bank, said SNAP has done a lot of good in the community. "SNAP provides funds for repairs of critical housing problems that affect our residents' health and safety," Ms. Grayson said. "We are pleased to be part of such a worthy program."

Since 2009, FHLB Dallas has funded nearly $9.2 million in grants to assist in the repair or modification of 1,846 units across its five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. In 2014, $1.85 million was allocated for SNAP grants.

"We learned from our members of the critical need for this type of program in our District," said Greg Hettrick, vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "In January 2015, $750,000 in SNAP funds was allocated to more than 25 FHLB Dallas member institutions. In August, a second $750,000 offering will become available to support special-needs individuals and families."

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $37.5 billion as of September 30, 2014, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.

Contact:

Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
www.fhlb.com
(214) 441-8445

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SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

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