MADISON, Miss., Aug. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) in Madison, Mississippi, is pleased to announce the completion of its new home rehabilitation program for low-income, specials needs families. The program was made possible by an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant of 2,000 awarded to the MS Society by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and BankPlus in 2008.
The grant helped launch the MS Society’s home rehabilitation program, which officially began in February 2009 and has already assisted twenty families with emergency home repairs and modifications such as ramp construction, lowering cabinets and countertops, new sinks and necessary appliances, side railings, handicap modifications to tubs and showers, new flooring, and widening of doors and walkways.�
The MS Society created the home rehabilitation program in response to increasing demand for home repairs for low-income, special needs homeowners living with multiple sclerosis or other disabilities. The increased demand spurred an MS Society board member to put the organization in touch with BankPlus to inquire about possible grant funding to support the new program.����������������������������������������������������������������������������
“When the idea was presented to BankPlus to be a part of this new program, we immediately knew it was a good candidate for AHP funding,” said BankPlus First Vice President Mark Ouellette.�”It feels good to be a part of something so positive for our community, and to help people that typically struggle every day.�These renovations will improve the lives of the homeowners in so many ways.�It’s sometimes the little things, such as replacing carpet with hard flooring or adding railings, that greatly improves the mobility of the recipients.�Easily maneuvering around your home is something that many of us take for granted, and these improvements will make a significant difference in the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities.”
The MS Society works directly with potential grant recipients to qualify them for the program, and a portion of the client application fees go back to the organization to support operational and labor costs.�
“Because of the success of our pilot program, other affiliates of our national organization want to incorporate a similar program into their services,” said Phyllis Epps, the program manager at the MS Society in Madison.�”Multiple sclerosis patients struggle to maintain mobility and often cannot afford to make their home handicap accessible as their condition worsens,” continued Ms. Epps.�”By making these homes more accommodating, we are improving the lives of the homeowners on a daily basis.�It is truly remarkable.”
Each year, FHLB Dallas returns 10 percent of its profits in the form of AHP grants issued through its member financial institutions, such as BankPlus, to assist in the development of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing for very low- to moderate-income households.
In 2010, FHLB Dallas awarded .5 million in AHP grants through its member institutions to 79 housing projects, which will help create or renovate 2,632 housing units across FHLB Dallas’s five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.�Approximately .2 million of the 2010 AHP funds were allocated to projects in Mississippi to assist in the development or renovation of 851 units within the state.�In 2011, FHLB Dallas has offered .5 million in AHP grants.�Recipients will be announced late summer.
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 .4 billion as of June 30, 2011, 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 website at fhlb.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at http://ping.fm/j0QFC
CONTACT: Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
www.fhlb.com
(214) 441-8445
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