VICTORIA, Texas, Aug. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After a sudden stroke, 73-year-old Audrey Hood struggled to move around her home, where she has lived for 47 years. The stroke left her dependent on a walker, which made moving throughout her home, as well as getting in and out of the bathtub, very difficult. Ms. Hood struggled daily to live in her home independently.
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Ms. Hood's home in Victoria, Texas, was built in the early 1950s, and has served three generations of her family. Ms. Hood feared she was going to have to move due to her declining health, but was determined to explore every option before giving up.
"I was having a lot of trouble getting around my home, and even getting in and out of the front door," said Ms. Hood. "It just became so cumbersome and tiring. I really didn't want to move, so I looked into other options. Many times I felt like giving up, until finally, I found someone who could help."
Ms. Hood received the help she needed through the City of Victoria. The City of Victoria works with First Victoria National Bank to obtain Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas). SNAP grants are made available through FHLB Dallas member institutions, such as First Victoria National Bank, to assist income-qualified, special needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications.
In 2011, FHLB Dallas made $2.1 million in SNAP funding available to its members, which was exhausted by late July. Each SNAP recipient is eligible to receive up to $5,000. If the participating member financial institution contributes at least $350 toward costs associated with the rehabilitation, the homeowner is eligible to receive up to $7,000 from FHLB Dallas.
Ms. Hood was able to qualify for a $6,750 SNAP grant, which allowed her to renovate her bathroom so that it is handicap accessible, modify the thresholds in the doorways of her garage and kitchen, and build a ramp and side walk so that she can easily get in and out of her home.
"I am so very thankful," said Ms. Hood. "It has made such a difference in my life. It has just made everything a bit easier. "
Darlah Sims, community development coordinator for the City of Victoria, walked Ms. Hood step by step through the application and renovation process. By March 1, 2011, all of the renovations were completed.
"The people at the City of Victoria were all so nice," said Ms. Hood. "Darlah was just a delight. I couldn't have been treated any better."
Ms. Sims said the city's partnership with First Victoria National Bank to obtain SNAP funding has been critical in meeting the high demand of elderly and special needs families that need home modifications.
"This is such a tremendous program," said Ms. Sims. "It's easy to use and there's really no catch to it, which comes out as win-win for everyone. There are so many local residents that really need the assistance in order to remain in their homes. The people we work with for SNAP grants, like Ms. Hood, have very limited incomes, and this program really lifts their spirits and improves their daily lives."
Liz Freyer, senior vice president at First Victoria National Bank, said she has utilized the SNAP since the program's inception in 2009. This year, First Victoria National Bank awarded $126,000 in SNAP funding to local residents.
"It is very rewarding to see how the funds are used and how significantly these repairs and modifications impact the lives of the homeowners," said Ms. Freyer. "To see the before and after photos is just amazing. We continue to use SNAP year after year because it truly changes the lives of the recipients for the better. First Victoria National Bank is proud to give back to our community and help these families that are in such need of assistance. These grants will change their lives forever."
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 $31.4 billion as of June 30, 2011, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances 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 website at fhlb.com.
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