Nonprofit Receives $58K in Grants to Improve Access to Affordable Housing Solutions in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) in collaboration with five of its members—BankPlus, Cadence Bank, Citizens National Bank, Community Bank of Mississippi and Trustmark Bank—awarded $58,500 to Housing Education and Economic Development Inc. (HEED) to strengthen housing counseling efforts across Mississippi.

The grants, supported by FHLB Dallas’ Partnership Grant Program (PGP), will help HEED expand its organizational capacity and housing counseling to better serve residents seeking affordable housing solutions.

“We are incredibly grateful to all banks for this generous support through FHLB Dallas’ Partnership Grant Program,” said HEED Executive Director Charles Harris. “This funding will significantly enhance our ability to empower more Mississippi residents on their journey toward stable, affordable housing.”

Over the last 36 years, HEED has helped more than 12,000 clients, making housing more fair and financially accessible.

“HEED’s work not only supports individual households but also strengthens the sense of community that makes our neighborhoods thrive,” said BankPlus Community Affairs Officer Ralph Jackson.

Cadence Bank’s Jackson Market President Michael Booker said that the grants will allow HEED to continue helping people navigate financial challenges.

“These grants will allow HEED to equip more Mississippi families with the tools and guidance needed to stay in their homes and build long-term financial stability,” he said.

Citizens National Bank’s Community Development Director Tra Alford said these grants will contribute to the financial success of Mississippi families.

“Thanks to these grants, HEED can expand their education and support services, empowering individuals and families to make informed financial decisions,” he said.

Community Bank of Mississippi had last provided HEED with a PGP grant in 2022.

“The PGP remains a wonderful opportunity to showcase our commitment to community partnerships, highlighting how local nonprofits and financial institutions can work together toward the shared goal of investing in the Jackson community,” said Rieko Wells, CRA officer at Community Bank of Mississippi.

Trustmark Bank’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Development, Sherry Rainey, said these grants enable HEED to expand its fair housing counseling.

“These grants will have a significant impact in helping Mississippians navigate the path to homeownership with confidence,” she said.

The FHLB Dallas PGP offers up to a 5:1 match of member contributions—up to $25,000 per FHLB Dallas member—to support community-based organizations involved in affordable housing or economic development activities that complement other FHLB Dallas community investment programs.

“By supplementing the financial support of our members to organizations like HEED, we’re creating a ripple effect addressing some of the root challenges of affordable housing and helping communities move toward greater stability and opportunity,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Learn more about the PGP.

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.