DALLAS, Sept. 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is pleased to announce it has awarded a $6,550 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant to Ella Bastian to make the bathroom of her home handicap accessible. The grant was awarded through IBERIABANK in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Ms. Bastian, 78, of New Iberia, had fallen several times in her bathroom trying to get in and out of the tub and shower, said her daughter, Barbara Jefferson. A friend of the family heard about the SNAP grants and called IBERIABANK to find out more about the program, Ms. Jefferson said.
Ms. Bastian received a new tub, and a handrail was added in the shower and tub, among other modifications.
"She had had several falls," Ms. Jefferson said. "Everything we had in here was old, even the kind of sink we had. She had no way to balance, so they put in a cabinet. The toilet was very low, so they gave her one that was higher. It's just a whole turnaround."
Ms. Bastian's repairs were completed in early June. She is now able to move around her bathroom without fear of falling.
"We really appreciate having the grant," Ms. Jefferson said. "I see it's helping those that are very ill and elderly, and helping people in places where they have limited funds. It really helped. It met a need, and it was very much appreciated."
IBERIABANK has awarded nine SNAP grants so far in 2009. The bank also utilizes FHLB Dallas's Affordable Housing Program and Home Equity Leverage Partnership grants.
"There is a large number of disabled residents and senior citizens, especially in outlying, rural communities, in need of assistance in repairing their homes," said Carrie Curet, IBERIABANK Community Development Officer and Vice President. "The SNAP has given us an opportunity to get a contractor out to their homes to assist them in getting these repairs."
In 2009, FHLB Dallas set aside $1 million of its annual AHP funds for SNAP, a new special needs rehabilitation program that provides grant funds to assist income-qualified, special needs homeowners with home repairs and modifications. Each SNAP 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.
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 $72.1 billion as of June 30, 2009, 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. For more information, visit the FHLB Dallas web site at fhlb.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3013