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This story originally appeared on the website of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
Retired long-haul truck driver Kenneth Hinkston, 62, has had his lower back fused, a metal rod implanted in his neck, and screws in his right ankle from "years of sitting and being pounded going across the road." When his home needed repairs, he was limited by his finances and physical ability. Through NeighborWorks member Universal Housing Development Corp., Hinkston learned about the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
SNAP grants are offered by FHLB Dallas through member institutions to assist income-qualified, special-needs homeowners with home repairs and modifications.
Universal Housing helped Hinkston complete the SNAP application, as well as the documents required by River Town Bank, an FHLB Dallas institution. The $5,000 SNAP grant covered the cost of a new roof and siding for Hinkston’s 1961 home.
"His roof was in terrible shape,” says Kim Miller of Universal Housing. “In addition, the decking and shingles had to be replaced. Some of the siding on his house had rotted and insulation was showing. Mr. Hinkston was so proud with just the new roof. But the siding made it look wonderful. I don't think he’d have been any happier if we had handed him a bar of gold."
Hinkston agrees his home has been transformed. "Every time we drive up, it surprises my wife and me. We really do appreciate everything that’s been done for us."
In 2015, FHLB Dallas made $1.5 million in SNAP grants available. The first $750,000 was snapped up in only 11 days that January. The funds were used to assist more than 150 families across FHLB Dallas' five-state district—including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. More than 30 FHLB Dallas member institutions, including River Town Bank, distributed the money.
Since SNAP's inception in 2009, nearly $9.2 million in grants has been awarded through member institutions to assist 1,846 families across FHLB Dallas' district.
"Through our members, we see the positive impact SNAP funding has on some of their most vulnerable residents,” says Greg Hettrick, vice president and director of community investment at FHLB Dallas.
| Hinkston's home before rennovation |
SNAP grants are offered by FHLB Dallas through member institutions to assist income-qualified, special-needs homeowners with home repairs and modifications.
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| Hinkston's home after rennovation |
"His roof was in terrible shape,” says Kim Miller of Universal Housing. “In addition, the decking and shingles had to be replaced. Some of the siding on his house had rotted and insulation was showing. Mr. Hinkston was so proud with just the new roof. But the siding made it look wonderful. I don't think he’d have been any happier if we had handed him a bar of gold."
Hinkston agrees his home has been transformed. "Every time we drive up, it surprises my wife and me. We really do appreciate everything that’s been done for us."
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| Hinkston |
In 2015, FHLB Dallas made $1.5 million in SNAP grants available. The first $750,000 was snapped up in only 11 days that January. The funds were used to assist more than 150 families across FHLB Dallas' five-state district—including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. More than 30 FHLB Dallas member institutions, including River Town Bank, distributed the money.
Since SNAP's inception in 2009, nearly $9.2 million in grants has been awarded through member institutions to assist 1,846 families across FHLB Dallas' district.
"Through our members, we see the positive impact SNAP funding has on some of their most vulnerable residents,” says Greg Hettrick, vice president and director of community investment at FHLB Dallas.
