Gateway First Bank and FHLBank Topeka award $300,000 Grant to Stillwater Habitat for Humanity

Organizations highlight the impact of new affordable homes in Stillwater at recent event.

TOPEKA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FHLBank Topeka recently announced 31 projects will receive a collective $33.9 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to support 1,764 housing units for very low-, low- and moderate-income households. To recognize the recent AHP award recipients, FHLBank Topeka hosted a reception showcasing the program’s impact and the work of member institutions and housing partners across the district.

Representatives from FHLBank member Gateway First Bank, Jenks, Oklahoma, and Stillwater Habitat for Humanity attended the Feb. 23 reception to share more about the impact of affordable housing grants in their communities.

Stillwater Habitat for Humanity will use the funds to support phase 1 of the Fern Street Development project, a new affordable housing community that will be named the Pioneer Way neighborhood. Phase 1 will include five single-family homes, with an additional five units planned over the coming years. As of April 2025, there wasn’t a single two- to four-bedroom home under 1,500 square feet available for sale in Stillwater. This project aims to change that.

“This development will provide financial stability and stronger neighborhoods for generations to come,” said Jerry Root, Executive Director of Stillwater Habitat.

Gateway First Bank, Jenks, supported the AHP grant application and will offer mortgage loan financing to qualified buyers.. “The Affordable Housing Program makes a transformational difference in projects like these. We are proud to support Stillwater Habitat’s efforts,” said Bruce Schultz, SVP of Community Development & Public Banking, Gateway First Bank.

“At FHLBank Topeka, our mission is to build communities together in partnership with our member financial institutions. Housing is at the heart of every thriving community. Our members, who are predominantly small community financial institutions, understand the needs of their towns better than anyone,” said Jeff Kuzbel, President and CEO, FHLBank Topeka.

About Gateway First Bank:

Gateway, based in Jenks, Oklahoma, is a prominent financial institution committed to the community and providing personalized financial solutions. Founded in 2000, Gateway is one of the largest financial institutions in the state, with assets exceeding $2 billion. Besides its eight banking centers in Oklahoma, Gateway has a strong national mortgage presence, with 70 mortgage locations nationwide and approximately 600 employees. www.gatewayfirst.com

About FHLBank Topeka:

FHLBank Topeka is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks that provides liquidity and funding to build vibrant communities for its member banks, thrifts, credit unions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions. FHLBank Topeka serves 670 member financial institutions in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The FHLBank System’s Affordable Housing Program, introduced in 1990, is one of the largest privately funded housing grant programs in the United States. FHLBank members, in partnership with public and private housing development organizations, prepare a detailed application for this competitive program. www.fhlbtopeka.com