VICTORIA, Texas, Aug. 31, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethel Langley's prayers were answered when she received a $7,000 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant in late April that allowed her to replace the leaking roof on her home.
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Ms. Langley, age 63, has lived in her home for 20 years. She worked as a nurse's aid in Victoria, Texas, for 33 years until she was forced to retire due to two knee replacement surgeries. She is now less mobile and depends on disability payments and a very limited income, but has always kept her spirit.
"My roof was in bad shape," said Ms. Langley, "but I certainly couldn't afford to fix it. I believe that good things come to those who wait, so I just waited and did whatever I could to help others. The Lord will provide for his children, so I kept my faith and knew things would work out one way or another."
Ms. Langley was eventually put in touch with Darlah Sims, community development coordinator at the City of Victoria. The City of Victoria works with First Victoria National Bank to obtain SNAP grants for qualified applicants. Together, the city and First Victoria National Bank have awarded 19 SNAP grants in 2011.
"Ms. Langley is an absolute angel," said Ms. Sims. "She was incredibly grateful for the assistance, and was truly surprised and overjoyed that we were able to assist her. The SNAP grants have made a tremendous impact on needy homeowners in our city. It has allowed us to restore these homes to a safe and livable condition, so the homeowners can remain in their homes."
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. 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.
There were three layers of old roofing on Ms. Langley's home, and all three layers were removed before the new roof was installed. Ms. Langley said the work was done well and completed very quickly.
"The new roof just changes the whole look of my home from top to bottom," she said. "It matches my home beautifully. I am so appreciative. I was in tears when I found out I was going to receive the grant – I just couldn't believe they picked me."
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.
"SNAP has just been a great program for us to utilize year after year," said Ms. Freyer. "It's user-friendly, and really benefits those in our community. It's amazing to see how the funds can be used to significantly improve the daily lives of the recipients. SNAP has worked out wonderfully for us, and we are very pleased to have a hand in giving back to our community."
In 2011, FHLB Dallas made $2.1 million in SNAP funding available to its members, which was exhausted by late July. SNAP grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted or year-end. For more information regarding SNAP, please visit fhlb.com.
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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