$25K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Helps Army Veteran Buy a Home in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

MANSFIELD, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A $25,000 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) helped U.S. Army veteran Alicia Cannon with the down payment that made homeownership possible for her and her 11‑year‑old son in Mansfield, Texas. The HAVEN grant was provided through Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, an FHLB Dallas member financial institution.

A former 91 Charlie (heating and air conditioning repairer) during her Army service, Ms. Cannon now works as a civilian project scheduler for the Army. She and her son moved into their new home last August.

“I prayed to God about being able to afford a home, and this grant was a blessing,” Ms. Cannon said. “The home is airy and full of natural light, and that has made a huge difference for my mental health. I’m deeply grateful to Gulf Coast Bank & Trust and FHLB Dallas for making this possible.”

HAVEN provides grants for home modifications, new construction or down payment assistance to help veterans, reservists and active-duty service members with service-related disabilities. It can also be used by Gold Star Families. Grants are awarded through participating FHLB Dallas member financial institutions, like Gulf Coast Bank & Trust.

“The HAVEN program allows us to deepen our community impact in a meaningful way by helping veterans achieve stable housing,” said Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Senior Mortgage Lender and Military Specialist Juli Coen. “Ms. Cannon’s story highlights the value of these grants in a very real way.”

FHLB Dallas allocated $1 million for HAVEN grants in 2026, with the funding distributed in two rounds. The next funding round of $500,000 opens on July 1, 2026.

“HAVEN exists because too many veterans face barriers to buying a home that is affordable and the down payment is one of the biggest hurdles,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “Ms. Cannon’s story is a powerful reminder of why this program matters, and her experience shows how the HAVEN grant can help open the door to homeownership for veterans.”

HAVEN grants are provided only through FHLB Dallas members. FHLB Dallas does not provide grants directly to consumers. Learn more about the HAVEN program.

About Gulf Coast Bank & Trust

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company was founded in 1883, offering several personal and business banking services to the communities in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, the surrounding Southeast Louisiana areas and Florida. Banking services include checking and savings accounts with online and mobile banking options as well as personal loans, home loans, business loans and trust and brokerage services. Its mission is to strengthen its relationship with customers by combining the values of old-fashioned community banking that focus on individualized customer service with innovative, competitive banking products and trust and brokerage services.

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 $97.1 billion as of March 31, 2026, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 780 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.