$10K HAVEN Grant Helps Texas Military Veteran with Home Repairs

First National Bank Texas and FHLB Dallas Fund Home Repairs

U.S. military veteran Angel Flores has traveled the world as a member of the Marine Corps, the Army and the National Guard before medically retiring in 2014.

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Representatives from First National Bank Texas, the office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn, the office of State Representative Jodey Arrington and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas joined to award a military veteran with $10,000 in Housing Assistance for Veterans. (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Flores’ years of service spanned 16 years from 1998 to 2014. During that time, he got married and started a family. He purchased a home after returning to his hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

His family which includes a teenager and two adult children who work and attend school, endured nearly two years of extreme temperatures both hot and cold, without a working central heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC).

“We relied on window units and space heaters for years,” said Mr. Flores. “This wasn’t an ideal solution, but that’s what we were able to afford.”

Now, Mr. Flores has a new HVAC system thanks to a $10,000 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from First National Bank Texas (FNBT) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas).

“With winter coming up, we’re so grateful to have been selected for the HAVEN grant and to finally have a working system again. We can be so much more comfortable in our home now,” he said. “My family and I are so appreciative for this assistance from FNBT and FHLB Dallas. It has truly been a Godsend.”

HAVEN assists with necessary 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. Alternatively, the funds can be awarded to Gold Star Families that were impacted during this time frame for home repairs/rehabilitation.

Representatives from both banks joined the Flores family for a check presentation at the Flores home. The event was also attended by staffer Joel Riedel, from the office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and staffer Kaci Morris from the office of State Representative Jodey Arrington (TX-19).

April Niswonger, assistant vice president at FNBT, said being able to share this experience with others is fulfilling.

“As a community bank, awarding this HAVEN grant was an impactful experience for us. We are just as thrilled for Mr. Flores to have these home renovations, which will now increase the comfort level in the home,” she said. “Taking care of veterans and their families is a high priority for us, and the HAVEN grant through FHLB Dallas is a great way to achieve this goal.”

Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, says HAVEN is a unique program because it specifically reaches military veterans and their families.

“It takes strong community partners like FNBT to disburse HAVEN grants and help those that have served,” he said. “HAVEN is a great tool for our members to invest in their communities while assisting men and women of the armed forces.”

About First National Bank Texas

First National Bank Texas (FNBT) is dedicated to providing customers with quality financial products and services. The bank was founded in 1901 in the Central Texas town of Killeen and has grown to over $3.7 billion in assets and operates in over 340 locations in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

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 $77.7 billion as of June 30, 2022, serves approximately 800 members and associated institutions across our five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. FHLB Dallas provides financial products and services including advances (loans to members) and grant programs for affordable housing and economic development. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

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