Thirty Louisiana homeowners will receive new, storm-resistant roofs thanks to nearly $432,000 in grants awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through Bonvenu Bank. The funding is part of the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund, which helps homeowners strengthen their properties against severe weather.
Grant Awards and Community Partners
The grants include $117,068 awarded to West 30’s Redemption Company and $314,647 awarded to Christian Fellowship Family Worship Center. These community organizations worked with Bonvenu Bank to identify homeowners in need of stronger roofs in the New Orleans metro and Northshore areas.
The FORTIFIED Fund provides up to $15,000 for roof replacements and up to $7,500 for new-construction roofs. Launched in 2023 with an initial $1.75 million allocation, the fund has grown in popularity and is supporting more projects across the FHLB Dallas district, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.
Purpose and Impact
Michael Colston, vice president and community development officer at Bonvenu Bank, said the initiative focuses on prevention: “This initiative helps residents protect their properties before severe weather strikes instead of reacting to damage afterward. Storm resilient homes are a key factor that help preserve family property and assist with building generational wealth.”
Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, emphasized the fund’s mission to help communities prepare for disasters. “Disasters may strike in an instant, but recovery can take extraordinary amounts of time and money,” he said. “That’s why we’re committed to providing a solution that protects property before the next storm.”
About the FORTIFIED Program
The FORTIFIED program, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), is a voluntary initiative that helps homeowners strengthen their roofs and homes to better withstand hurricanes and other severe weather. More details, including eligibility and application information, are available through the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund.
About Bonvenu Bank
Bonvenu Bank, formerly Citizens National Bank, is a Louisiana-based community bank with 14 branch locations. Established in 1985, the bank provides a range of services for individuals and businesses and focuses on building a prosperous future for the communities it serves.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is a member-owned cooperative created by Congress in 1932 to support housing and community development. With $116.1 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, it provides competitively priced loans and credit products to about 800 member institutions across five states.
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