WACO, Texas, June 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trying to modernize a nearly 80-year-old house — even a small one — is not an easy task, as 42-year-old Elizabeth Cash learned when she moved in to her grandparents' former home. Her grandparents passed away in 2003 and Cash bought the house from her uncle.
"He rented it out for a while, so it did need some work," said Ms. Cash.
The worst room in the house when she moved in was the bathroom. It was outdated and had some creative plumbing.
"The bathroom had an old metal shower stall," said Ms. Cash, "and the shower head was connected to the sprayer in the kitchen sink."
Ms. Cash took out the old shower stall with the intent of replacing it. But, she depends on disability benefits, and after paying her living expenses there is little or no money left for home repairs. So, for several months, the only thing in the bathroom was the toilet, and not having a usable shower or bathtub in her home was beyond inconvenient.
"I had to drive across town to my sister's house to take a shower," she said.
Ms. Cash was referred to Waco Habitat for Humanity and its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, which helps low-income residents with necessary home repairs. She inquired to see if they could help her restore her bathroom to a usable condition.
"I went to talk to Waco Habitat for Humanity in person, filled out the application, and then checked back with them regularly to see if I'd been approved for the program," said Ms. Cash.
Habitat for Humanity did $4,089 in repairs and upgrades to the bathroom in Cash's home, funded in part by a $2,990 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant, which was made available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and its member financial institution, Extraco Banks.
SNAP grants are made available through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions, such as Extraco Banks, to assist income-qualified, special needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. SNAP has been a vital resource for Habitat for Humanity affiliates across FHLB Dallas's five-state district of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. In 2011, FHLB Dallas made $2.1 million in SNAP funding available to its members, and another $1.35 million was made available in 2012.
"There are many families in our community that are in situations similar to Ms. Cash," said Britt Duke, Neighborhood Revitalization Program manager for Waco Habitat for Humanity, "They own their homes, but are unable to afford the basic repairs needed for the house to be safe. With the support of Extraco Banks and FHLB Dallas, Waco Habitat is able to serve more families each year by providing critical home repairs."
Waco Habitat for Humanity has issued six SNAP grants so far in 2012, and has one pending for approval.
"Part of Extraco's mission is to touch the lives of the friends and neighbors who live in our communities," said Michael W. Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Extraco Banks. "We're pleased that we're able to fulfill that mission through the great work of the SNAP program."
Thanks to the SNAP grant and Waco Habitat for Humanity, the bathroom in Cash's home now has a new floor, bathtub and shower with proper plumbing, vanity and mirror.
These days, when Cash drives to her sister's house, it's for a visit. Though she still has a lot of work left to do on her home, she says she is thrilled with the new bathroom. "It was wonderful to be able to have the work complete," she said. "It has helped me a lot. The bathroom is now the best room in the house."
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 $34.2 billion as of March 31, 2012, 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.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3013