WACO, Texas, June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The home that Sammie Bledsoe has lived in since 1972 had developed a leaking roof that sent trickles of water into almost every room of her house, including the covered front porch.
The 77-year-old woman knew that the water would cause other damage if the leaks weren't repaired, but she didn't have the money to pay for the expense.
Mrs. Bledsoe, who worked as a baker before she retired, lives on Social Security and had recently been forced to buy health insurance after losing Medicaid benefits. That had taken a big bite out of her budget. She knew there was absolutely no way she would be able to have repairs done on her home without some help.
"A woman who works at Waco Habitat for Humanity (Waco Habitat) is a friend of my children," Mrs. Bledsoe said. "She told us about a program they have that might be able to help me."
Mrs. Bledsoe contacted Waco Habitat and learned about the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP), in which Waco Habitat can receive grant funding to assist special needs homeowners with critical home repairs through its partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Extraco Banks.
"The people from Waco Habitat helped me fill out the application," Mrs. Bledsoe said. "They did a fantastic job."
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.
"Through the use of $6,385 in SNAP funds, we were able to do a complete roof replacement along with bathroom floor and plumbing repairs for Mrs. Bledsoe's home," said Britt Duke, neighborhood revitalization initiative programs manager for Waco Habitat. "The SNAP funds enabled us to help relieve Mrs. Bledsoe of the worry of a leaky roof or falling through the bathroom floor."
Waco Habitat has completed a total of 12 SNAP projects, according to Associate Director Emily Fau. "We did one in 2009, nine in 2011 and two in 2012," she said.
Extraco Banks partnered with Waco Habitat to fund seven SNAP grants to deserving recipients in 2011, and continued its participation in the program this year.
"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 Waco Habitat and the SNAP program."
It's been about a year since the repairs were completed on her home. Mrs. Bledsoe, who has five children and has been a widow since 1990, said she's so pleased with the work and the grant program that she's telling others all about it.
"I tell them it's a really good program," she said. "I had to wait a little while before the work could be done, but it was well worth the wait."
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