Relieving Stress with the ‘SNAP’ of a Finger for Louisiana Retiree

Mary Robertson, a 69-year-old Sunset, Louisiana, homeowner, enjoys keeping her house orderly and organized.

But as a roof leak caused damage to her bedroom flooring, and her kitchen floors aged, she began to see a disaster brewing.

“Many people my age can’t do what they used to do,” said Ms. Robertson. “I needed to make these repairs, but I didn’t know at the time how I would have done it on my fixed income.”

That’s where a $5,700 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) subsidy from Bank of Sunset and Trust Co. (Bank of Sunset) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) helped Ms. Robertson repair her subfloor and install new vinyl planks.

“SNAP takes a huge burden off people’s minds when you can get some help making repairs that are most important to be able to stay in your home,” she said. “Without the help, you constantly think about how you’re going to make the repairs. When something like that can be lifted off you, you at least know you can have a good place to stay for the rest of your little days.”

Ms. Robertson heard about SNAP from the city of Sunset while researching assistance programs and worked with Magnolia Community Development Corp. (Magnolia CDC) to make the repairs. The program, offered through members of FHLB Dallas, provides up to $8,000 toward necessary home repairs for households containing special needs individuals, including the elderly.

Jamie LaChapelle, program director of Magnolia CDC, helped Ms. Robertson apply for the program.

“We knew these funds would be very helpful to Ms. Robertson in repairing her home,” said Ms. LaChapelle. “SNAP is a wonderful program that enables us to live our mission of building stronger communities by helping low-income disabled and elderly people make needed repairs to their homes.”

Senior Vice President Marianne Montet, compliance and Bank Secrecy Act officer at Bank of Sunset, explained that SNAP benefits all those involved, including the member institution, which has an opportunity through the program to provide outreach in the communities it serves.

“SNAP enables us as a community bank to invest funds to help elderly residents, like Ms. Robertson, and special needs individuals make needed repairs to feel comfortable in their homes,” said Ms. Montet.

Greg Hettrick, FHLB Dallas first vice president and director of Community Investment, explained that SNAP is a great tool community banks can leverage to create better lives in their communities.

“I commend Bank of Sunset as well as Magnolia CDC for working together to help provide Ms. Robertson the repairs she needs to feel comfortable in her own home,” Mr. Hettrick said.

To learn more about SNAP, visit fhlb.com/snap.

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