Holy Angels Residential Facility (Holy Angels) is pleased to announce the grand opening of its recently renovated Smith Home, an eight-unit residential facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, for low-income, special needs residents.

Holy Angels staff members will be joined by supporters of the project, including the representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Community Trust Bank, which awarded Holy Angels a $400,000 grant in 2010 to make renovations and repairs to the Smith Home, and other facilities on its campus.

“On behalf of the Holy Angels Board of Directors, I would like to acknowledge the significant roles the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Community Trust Bank have with Holy Angels,” said Holy Angels Board of Directors Treasurer John Dean. “To know that we are able to bring much needed services to Holy Angels and work together with caring people to make it happen is a rewarding experience.”

News of the housing rehabilitation has been well-received in the Shreveport community.

“I compliment Holy Angels for its innovative ways to provide facilities and care for those members of our community who need an extra loving touch," said State Senator Barrow Peacock, R-Bossier City-Shreveport. “They should serve as a model for innovation and offering a great quality of life. Laurie Boswell, the family and friends of residents, businesses and the Shreveport-Bossier community have taken ownership in supporting Holy Angels, and it shows.”

State Representative Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, also lauded the project and its financial contributors.

“On behalf of the Louisiana residents of District 5 and the 184 individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities served by Holy Angels, I sincerely thank the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Community Trust Bank, and community donors for supporting affordable housing for our special citizens,” Representative Seabaugh said.

Residents of the Smith Home were moved to other residences on the Holy Angels campus while the repairs were made. The renovations included adding a handicap-accessible bathroom to the home, adding a bedroom, and a laundry room.

“Accessible facilities greatly enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities,” said Holy Angels CEO Laurie Boswell. “This project assists Holy Angels Residential Facility in sustaining its mission of loving and compassionate care.”

AHP funds are used to purchase, construct, and/or rehabilitate single-family, transitional, and multifamily projects for very low- to moderate-income families. In 2011, FHLB Dallas awarded $11 million in AHP grants through member institutions, like Community Trust Bank, including nearly $2.5 million in Louisiana, to support 350 housing units within the state. Of the $2.5 million, $600,000 was awarded through Community Trust Bank to help fund three affordable housing projects.

“Community Trust Bank has been in the business of impacting the communities we live in for 100 years,” said Ms. Grayson, who is a vice president and community reinvestment officer for Community Trust Bank. “We are pleased that FHLB has made it possible for Holy Angels to continue its mission. We are glad to be a part of such a great accomplishment.”

Holy Angels provides housing to 184 developmentally disabled individuals.  Several of the dormitories and group homes on its campus are in need of rehabilitation. Holy Angels is in the midst of updating two more of its aging buildings – the Kenney and Pollard dormitories – with roof replacements and new underground piping for water and gas lines. Safety concerns for staff and residents because of the age of the buildings prompted the repairs. In total, 48 housing units for very low-income, special needs residents will be rehabilitated or created by the project.

 “Holy Angels Residential Facility has been very fortunate to be a benefactor of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas’s Affordable Housing Program,” said Michelle Watson, controller for Holy Angels. “Working closely with our member bank, Community Trust Bank, and Sheila Grayson, vice president and community reinvestment officer of Community Trust Bank, Holy Angels is able to provide a renovated and beautiful home for eight very special angels we are blessed to serve.”

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932.  FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $34.2 billion as of March 31, 2012, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to more than 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.  For more information, visit the FHLB Dallas website at fhlb.com.

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