DALLAS, Aug. 28, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded a $5,000 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant to Mary Thomas of Jackson, Mississippi. The grant was made available through BancorpSouth.
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In 2009, FHLB Dallas set aside $1 million of its annual Affordable Housing Program (AHP) funds for SNAP, a rehabilitation program available through FHLB Dallas member institutions that provides grant funds to assist income-qualified, special needs homeowners with home repairs and modifications. Each SNAP recipient is eligible to receive up to $5,000. If a member financial institution contributes at least $350 toward costs associated with the rehabilitation, the homeowner is eligible to receive up to $7,000.
Ms. Thomas and her late husband purchased their home in 1963, and raised 14 children, seven of whom still live in Jackson. Over time, Ms. Thomas's physical disability has made it difficult for her to maneuver around her home, particularly the bathroom.
Her daughter, Cheryl Carpenter, was told by a church member that her mother may be eligible for a SNAP grant from FHLB Dallas to renovate the bathroom. Ms. Carpenter worked with Lorenzo Claxton, Housing, Technical, and Training Specialist at the University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), to obtain the grant funds.
"IDS has a long-standing partnership with BancorpSouth, which allows us to apply for grant funds from FHLB Dallas for our clients," said Mr. Claxton. "Ms. Thomas is a high-spirited woman, and was very excited to receive the grant. She was able to modify her bathroom to make it handicap-accessible so that it better fits her needs."
Modifications to Ms. Thomas's bathroom included a walk-in shower, with a shower chair and grab bars, new tile, flooring, light fixtures, toilet, sink, and vanity. The shower also includes a detachable shower head for handicap accessibility.
Christy Minton, Fair Lending Officer, and Evelyn Edwards, Vice President and Regional Community Reinvestment Officer, at BancorpSouth, work together to obtain grant funds for IDS applicants.
"BancorpSouth appreciates the opportunity to participate in FHLB Dallas's grant programs," said Ms. Minton. "I count it as one of the biggest blessings in my job that we are able to help so many people renovate their homes through SNAP. Helping those in our community is what being a 'community bank' is all about."
"We are so pleased with the renovations," said Ms. Carpenter. "It was a fast and easy process, and we appreciate the assistance. My mom needs 24-hour assistance, and the bathroom was beginning to be hazardous for her prior to the renovations. I try to let other people know that grant funds, like SNAP, are out there for people who need them. You just have to know where to look."
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 $72.1 billion as of June 30, 2009, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to more than 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit the FHLB Dallas web site at fhlb.com.
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