NATCHEZ, Miss., April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A rainy day might be a welcomed event for some, but not for Diane Stokes, for whom a rainy day meant a leaky den. The 64-year-old retired Computer Aided Design specialist didn't need to rely on her 28 years of design experience to know there was a structural problem in her house.
The den, which had been added to the 52-year-old house after it was built, was lower than the rest of the house, causing a split between the addition and the original structure. The Space between the house addition and the original three-bedroom home was large enough that Ms. Stokes was unable to use her den. After she read about the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) in "The Natchez Democrat," available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and participating member institutions, like Home Bank, Ms. Stokes reached out to the City of Natchez.
A $4,852 grant from FHLB Dallas and Home Bank provided Ms. Stokes, her daughter, and three grandchildren with the needed new roof.
SNAP grants assist income-qualified, special-needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. Ms. Stokes, who is on a fixed income since retiring in 2009, says she and her family can now enjoy the den more often.
"It's the only room in the house that can accommodate my entire family comfortably," said Ms. Stokes.
Deanna Bowser, SVP and Mississippi market president for Home Bank, emphasizes the need for programs such as SNAP.
"Programs like SNAP provide much-needed assistance to residents who live on a fixed income and are unable to afford home repairs on their own," said Ms. Bowser. "We are happy to help our neighbors make much-needed repairs to their homes."
Natchez Mayor Butch Brown praised the SNAP program for the improvements it has made to area homes.
"This is the fifth time the city and our banking partners have participated in the SNAP program," said Natchez Mayor Butch Brown. "This program has been a blessing to our community and to the many residents who have received assistance."
Since SNAP's inception in 2009, more than $10.6 million has been awarded in grants through FHLB Dallas member institutions to assist more than 2,000 families across FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. In 2015, FHLB Dallas awarded nearly $1.5 million in SNAP grants that assisted 319 families. The 2016 SNAP funding, made available in January on a first-come, first-served basis, has been exhausted.
"The SNAP was created for people just like Ms. Stokes," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "We are honored to partner with Home Bank to assist the community in this regard."
Now rainy days are no problem for Ms. Stokes. In fact, her outlook on life is on the sunny side these days. "As you get a little older, you need a little more help. It's nice to know there are programs out there to help people like me."
About Home Bancorp
Home Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Home Bank, National Association, a nationally chartered bank headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. Home Bank, N.A. offers a full range of deposit and loan products through 30 banking centers in growing regions of Louisiana and Mississippi: Acadiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, the Northshore (of Lake Pontchartrain), Natchez, and Vicksburg. Home Bancorp, Inc. trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "HBCP".
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $42.1 billion as of December 31, 2015, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.
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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Link: SNAP Grant from Home Bank and FHLB Dallas Helps Replace Roof for Natchez Resident