Louisiana Veteran Replaced Hurricane-Damaged Roof with Help of Funds from $1M FHLB Dallas Program

Program Assists Disabled Military Veterans and Gold Star Families with Housing Needs

HOUMA, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s been almost four years since Hurricane Ida swept through Houma, Louisiana, wreaking havoc on the home of June and Lloyd Wallis and many others in its path.

Lloyd Wallis recently received a Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) provided through FHLB Dallas member Synergy Bank to replace the couple’s roof.

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

The Wallis’ learned of the program through Rebuilding Together Bayou.

“FHLB Dallas has been helping us extensively since Hurricane Ida through several of their grant programs; their assistance has been incredible,” said Lee Shaffer, director of Rebuilding Together Bayou. “Veterans of the Korea and Vietnam conflicts are now reaching advanced ages, where they could use help, and HAVEN is having a dramatic and positive impact on their lives.”

FHLB Dallas allocated $1 million for HAVEN grants in 2025, up from $300,000 in 2024. This year, it also increased the maximum grant from $20,000 to $25,000 and opened the program, originally created for Gulf War vets, to all veterans.

“Synergy Bank is proud to be able to assist veterans in our community through this impactful program,” Synergy Bank President and CEO Jerry Ledet Jr. “Every repaired roof and every home restored is a reminder that when we come together, we can bring hope and healing to our community. We’re grateful to be part of something that makes such a real difference in people’s lives. We are stronger together.”

Mr. Wallis, 75, spent two years in the jungles of Vietnam with the Marine Corps. He was awarded a $23,845 grant. His home suffered major roof damage from Ida in August 2021.

“We patched it up the best we could, but we didn’t have the funds to replace it,” said Mr. Wallis, who has lived in the home for more than 45 years. He and his wife raised their six children there and have hosted scores of grandchildren in a home that serves as the epicenter of a large extended family. When they aren’t enjoying their grandchildren, the semi-retired couple operate a snowball stand and volunteer in their church.

Mrs. Wallis said the couple “felt excited and blessed” to receive the grant. “We couldn’t have afforded this new roof without it,” she said.

"Synergy Bank and Rebuilding Together are working additional HAVEN grant applications for local vets whose homes suffered hurricane damage," Mr. Shaffer said.

Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said FHLB Dallas hopes to increase the fund’s impact with this year’s increased funding and wider eligibility.

“With our expansion of HAVEN access, we are reaching Vietnam and Korea veterans for the first time, and we hope to make a positive impact in providing them access to safe and affordable housing,” Mr. Hettrick said. “We value Synergy Bank’s support for HAVEN and its outreach to veterans in need in the communities they serve.”

Learn more about the HAVEN program.

About Synergy Bank

Synergy is a locally owned community bank with 10 locations throughout the Bayou and Capital Regions of Louisiana. As of March 31, 2025, the company’s total assets equaled $1.224 billion. Further information may be obtained from its website at www.synergybank.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 $109.9 billion as of March 31, 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.