- June 10 2025
- Louisiana
Grant Replaces Hurricane-Damaged Roof for Military Vet
Lloyd Wallis, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, recently received a $23,845 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) to replace his damaged roof.
“We patched it up the best we could, but we didn’t have the funds to replace it,” said Mr. Wallis, who has lived in the home for more than 45 years. He and his wife raised their six children there and have hosted scores of grandchildren in a home that serves as the epicenter of a large extended family.
HAVEN provides grants for home modifications, housing construction and homebuyer down payment assistance to help veterans, reservists and service members who have a service-related disability. It can also be used by Gold Star Families.
The grants are provided through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions participating in the program, in this case, Synergy Bank.
Mr. Wallis learned of the program through Rebuilding Together Bayou, which worked with Synergy and Mr. Wallis on the grant application.
“FHLB Dallas has been helping us extensively since Hurricane Ida through several of their grant programs; their assistance has been incredible,” said Lee Shaffer, director of Rebuilding Together Bayou. “Veterans of the Korea and Vietnam conflicts are now reaching advanced ages, where they could use help, and HAVEN is having a dramatic and positive impact on their lives.”
FHLB Dallas allocated $1 million for HAVEN grants in 2025, up from $300,000 in 2024. This year, it also increased the maximum grant from $20,000 to $25,000 and opened the program, originally created for Gulf War vets, to all veterans.
“Synergy Bank is proud to be able to assist veterans in our community through this impactful program,” Synergy Bank President and CEO Jerry Ledet Jr. “Every repaired roof and every home restored is a reminder that when we come together, we can bring hope and healing to our community.”
