Grant Funds Assist Elderly Jackson Couple With Home Repairs


JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bertha and Devant Kelly have lived in their Jackson, Mississippi, home for more than 30 years, raising their family and building years of memories. They hoped to remain in their home for many more years, but the dilapidated roof was becoming a continuous and expensive problem.

The roof on their home was beyond repair -- it had to be replaced. Leaks were forming and causing damage to the interior of their home. Mrs. Kelly, 62, and Mr. Kelly, who is 65 and disabled, live on a limited income, and they couldn't afford to replace the roof on their own. Desperate for help, Mrs. Kelly was referred to BankPlus for assistance.

BankPlus, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), utilizes FHLB Dallas's Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is available through FHLB Dallas member institutions to provide grant funding to assist income-qualified, elderly, and special-needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. SNAP grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified, special needs families across FHLB Dallas's five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.

Recipients may receive up to $5,000 in grant funds to assist with repairs such as roofing, plumbing, electrical, and flooring, as well as handicap modifications such as ramps, grab bars, expanding doorways, and bathroom and kitchen modifications.

"BankPlus has been utilizing SNAP since it was first introduced by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas in 2009," said Mark Ouellette, BankPlus first vice president. "We have been fortunate to help more than 60 families with home repairs or modifications since that time. This is an excellent program that addresses a critical housing need in our communities, and I am grateful that BankPlus has the opportunity to use SNAP to help families such as Mr. and Mrs. Kelly."

In January, the Kellys were approved for a $4,100 SNAP grant, and were able to replace their roof.

"It was such a blessing to have received this generous grant," said Mrs. Kelly. "It came right on time. We are very grateful to FHLB Dallas and BankPlus for this program. It has really made a big difference for our home."

Since the program's inception in 2009, FHLB Dallas and its member institutions have awarded more than $6.3 million in grant funds to assist special-needs families across the District.

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 $35.2 billion as of September 30, 2012, 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

About BankPlus

BankPlus, with total assets of more than $2 billion, has over 60 bank offices in 33 Mississippi communities. In addition to its Belzoni Main Office, other BankPlus offices are located in Bentonia, Brandon, Byram, Canton, Clinton, D'Iberville, Durant, Flora, Flowood, Gluckstadt, Hernando, Holly Bluff, Horn Lake, Isola, Jackson, Lexington, Madison, Meridian, Newton, Olive Branch, Pearl, Picayune, Pickens, Poplarville, Quitman, Ridgeland, Shubuta, Southaven, Stonewall, Tchula, Waynesboro and Yazoo City. For additional information on BankPlus, please visit www.BankPlus.net.



            

Contact Data