Funds will be Awarded through FHLB Dallas’ Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program
Nearly 40 Gulf Coast homeowners will receive support to rebuild their homes thanks to a more than $500,000 disbursement* from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Hancock Whitney Bank. The banks celebrated the investment in community resilience at a ceremonial check presentation with a local homeowner and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a local nonprofit that helped facilitate grants for 12 residents in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Ivan Watkins (center, light blue) received a $15,000 DRA grant from FHLB Dallas through Hancock Whitney Bank to upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof that can better withstand storms.
The grants, funded by FHLB Dallas’ Disaster Rebuilding Assistance (DRA) program will provide several homeowners with FORTIFIED roofs designed to withstand hurricanes, high winds, hail and severe thunderstorms. FORTIFIED, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, is a voluntary program to strengthen homes against severe weather.
Ivan Watkins, who received a $15,000 grant to upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof, is delighted with the support.
“I feel very happy, blessed and a lot less stressed,” he said. “Now I can focus on life and making improvements to my home.”
The grant was facilitated by Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a longtime advocate for safe, stable housing in the city.
“Rebuilding Together is grateful for our partnership with Hancock Whitney Bank,” said William Stoudt, executive director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. “They help us access life changing programs like Disaster Rebuilding Assistance from FHLB Dallas. Rebuilding Together New Orleans is committed to building homes stronger and our work would be impossible without these critical partners.”
LaCarsha Babers, vice president and community outreach officer at Hancock Whitney Bank, said such grant funding is critical to fostering community resilience.
“These grants are critical to maintaining vibrant, thriving neighborhoods across New Orleans,” Ms. Babers said. “By strengthening our existing housing stock, these grants are protecting families from future storms and laying the foundation for current and future generations to build stable, successful lives in the communities they call home.”
Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said these grants demonstrate FHLB Dallas’ commitment to supporting the long-term resilience of communities across its District.
“Programs like the Disaster Rebuilding Assistance are designed to help homeowners not only rebuild, but rebuild stronger, ensuring they’re better protected for the future,” he said.
Visit the Disaster Rebuilding Assistance page to learn more about the program.
About Hancock Whitney
Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; and mortgage services. The company also operates combined loan and deposit production offices in the greater metropolitan areas of Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.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.
*Funding figures reflect disbursements as of 12/01/25. Final documentation is pending for some projects and totals may be adjusted.
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“Programs like the Disaster Rebuilding Assistance are designed to help homeowners not only rebuild, but rebuild stronger, ensuring they’re better protected for the future.” Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB
Contacts
Corporate Communications
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
fhlb.com, (214) 441-8445