Program Assists Disabled Military Service Members, Veterans and Gold Star Families

A $25,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Woodforest National Bank® (Woodforest) funded major home repairs for a U.S. Army veteran whose life was turned upside down by Hurricane Ida four years ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106209349/en/

A New Orleans, Louisiana, Army veteran (right) received a $25,000 HAVEN grant from FHLB Dallas through Woodforest National Bank to repair her hurricane damaged home.

HAVEN provides grants for home modifications, housing construction and homebuyer down payment assistance to help veterans, reservists and service members with service-related disabilities. It can also be used by Gold Star Families. The grants are provided through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions participating in the program.

“These grants can be life-changing for a disabled veteran or service member or a family that has lost a loved one in the line of duty,” said Woodforest CRA Executive Director Doug Schaeffer. “HAVEN is an impactful way for us to thank veterans and their families. Woodforest is grateful for their service and sacrifice to our nation.”

FHLB Dallas allocated $1 million for HAVEN grants in 2025, up from $300,000 in 2024, and increased the maximum grant to $25,000.

In August 2021, U.S. Army veteran Georgianna Gaston, 45, who was sent to Operation Iraqi Freedom just weeks after completing her basic training, evacuated her home as Hurricane Ida bore down on New Orleans, Louisiana. The home sustained major damage. Workers ripped out damaged sheetrock, cabinets and flooring. Unfortunately, the workers left repairs unfinished after Ms. Gaston’s insurance company declared bankruptcy.

Ms. Gaston’s home stayed unfinished until this year, when she received a HAVEN grant through Rebuilding New Orleans, which partners with Woodforest National Bank to help veterans. Now, she wants others to know about the grant.

“The help is out there. Accept the help,” Ms. Gaston said.

The grant funded a FORTIFIED roof, which is designed to withstand future storms, new exterior siding and interior sheetrock.

“We’re committed to showing up for those who’ve served our country while also promoting housing affordability,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “We’re honored to be a small part of Ms. Gaston’s story.”

Learn more about the HAVEN program.

About Woodforest National Bank

Celebrating 45 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates nearly 730 branches in 17 states across the United States and is an Outstanding CRA rated institution. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit woodforest.com.

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 $112.2 billion as of September 30, 2025, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106209349/en/

“We’re committed to showing up for those who’ve served our country while also promoting housing affordability,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.