Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Housing Authority Receives $150K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Austin Bank for Affordable Housing

Barchart · 10/15 16:50

Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), through its member Austin Bank, awarded a $150,000 Native American Housing Opportunities (NAHO) Fund grant to Alabama-Coushatta Indian Housing Authority (ACIHA) today during a ceremonial check celebration. The funds are part of $1 million in funding that FHLB Dallas awarded to Native American tribes or tribal housing authorities this year.

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded a $150,000 Native American Housing Opportunities Fund grant through its member Austin Bank to the housing authority of the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe of Texas for affordable housing initiatives. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded a $150,000 Native American Housing Opportunities Fund grant through its member Austin Bank to the housing authority of the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe of Texas for affordable housing initiatives. (Photo: Business Wire)

FHLB Dallas introduced the NAHO Fund this year to increase affordable housing access for federally recognized tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) by providing grants of $50,000 to $150,000. The grants may be used for homebuyer down payment and closing cost assistance, rental assistance, home repairs, new construction, administrative expenses and other eligible uses.

“This new fund from FHLB Dallas puts an additional focus on rural housing affordability, and we are pleased to be a part of this effort to bring greater affordability to Livingston,” said Austin Bank Senior Vice President and CRA Officer Debbie Braune.

ACIHA will use its grant for 75 generator switches in homes, 15 internet connections for a remote neighborhood and eight new central air-conditioning systems, said ACIHA Director Jerry McKinney.

Mr. McKinney said he was at a tribal housing conference in Florida when he heard about FHLB Dallas’ grant program and Rachel Collins, tribal grants director, was also contacted by a representative and with a little help with the process from the housing team, Ms. Collins took the lead to complete and submit the application.

“We put generator plugs in our housing plan two years ago because of power outages we occasionally get from hurricanes, but we didn’t have the funds for them,” Mr. McKinney said. “This grant will give us the opportunity to do that now. The Wi-Fi connections will help our kids who don’t have internet at home and have to go to the community center to do homework. We are really grateful for this grant and what it will help capitalize for ACIHA.”

Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said the $1 million fund is financing much-needed affordable housing initiatives.

“We’ve seen some innovative uses of the funding to develop sustainable housing, and the Housing Authority’s plan for generator switches is a good example of preparing for future power outages related storms pushing inward from the Gulf,” he said. “We are honored to be able to support their work.”

Learn more about the NAHO Fund at fhlb.com/naho fund.

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 $126.2 billion as of June 30, 2024, 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 our website at fhlb.com.