DALLAS, Sept. 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raising five grandchildren has made it a little tough for retired Dallas, Texas, homeowner Ulysses Kizzee when emergency repairs like a leaking roof occur.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10451
Luckily, Mr. Kizzee, 62, learned about a grant program offered through the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity (Dallas Area Habitat) that leverages funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas's Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) through its member institutions. SNAP grants assist income-qualified, special needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. Each SNAP grant 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 from FHLB Dallas.
Mr. Kizzee received a $7,000 SNAP grant through FHLB Dallas and First Private Bank of Texas to replace his roof.
"Habitat did an excellent job. They really saved my life," Mr. Kizzee said. "I needed a roof. The roof was in disrepair for at least five years. I did a little patch repair myself, but it was still leaking. I'm retired and on a fixed income, so I wouldn't have been able to take care of it. It was a blessing. No matter how big or how small they are, you appreciate all your blessings."
First Private Bank has awarded more than $103,000 in SNAP grants in 2011 to assist 16 families with their necessary home repairs.
Dallas Area Habitat has used SNAP grants as part of the Habitat for Humanity's A Brush with Kindness exterior repair program, which serves low-income homeowners struggling to maintain the exterior of their homes. SNAP funding and member institution contributions have been instrumental components in revitalizing distressed neighborhoods.
About Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity transforms neighborhoods by engaging families and community partners in creating affordable housing. Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity's vision is that all individuals and families live in thriving neighborhoods where hopes and dreams are realized for generations to come because poverty housing is socially, politically and spiritually unacceptable. Since 1986, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity has served more than 850 low-income families using homeownership as an anchor for hope, change, and fellowship resulting in an investment of approximately $95 million in more than 20 neighborhoods of Dallas County that adds $2 million annually to Dallas County tax rolls. For more information, visit www.dallas-habitat.org.
About First Private Bank
Founded in Dallas in 2007, First Private Bank provides a full array of personalized financial services through its bank locations in Dallas and Plano.
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.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3013
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress
