Mar 5, 2019   SOURCE: BusinessWire

FHLB Dallas Expands Veterans Assistance Program

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is proud to announce some recent changes to its Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) program, including the availability of $300,000 in HAVEN funds through members in 2019.

HAVEN provides grants up to $10,000 per household through FHLB Dallas member institutions to help fund repairs or modifications to homes of U.S. veterans and active-duty, reserve or National Guard service members who became disabled as a result of their military service since September 11, 2001 (9/11).

Recent changes to HAVEN, which took effect in January 2019, include:

  • Increasing the award limit to $10,000 per household for the modification, rehabilitation or new construction of a qualifying property
  • Increasing the qualifying area median income limit to 165 percent or less
  • Removing the requirement of recipients to have received specific service medals
  • Expanding the program to Gold Star families, who have lost an immediate family member through his or her military service since 9/11
  • Requiring no member contribution
  • Expanding program to include properties located anywhere in the United States

“HAVEN is a prime example of the mission of FHLB Dallas and its members to provide services that support the community and its residents in a compelling way,” said Greg Hettrick, FHLB Dallas first vice president and director of Community Investment. “We consider it a privilege to partner with our members to provide assistance to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

HAVEN launched in 2011 with $250,000 set aside for the program. To date, more than $350,000 has been awarded through FHLB Dallas members to assist veterans and service members with their housing needs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the estimated 3.3 million post-9/11 veterans in the United States, about 36 percent are living with a service-related disability. HAVEN has helped veterans and service members with items such as removing carpet and installing hardwood floors to improve mobility, raising countertops, and installing handicap-accessible showers. The grants have also helped with necessary repairs, not related to a disability, which improve the service member’s quality of life.

Visit fhlb.com/haven to learn more.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $72.8 billion as of December 31, 2018, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 825 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.