HOPE Receives FHLB Dallas 2025 CARE Award for Outstanding Community Investment and Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has officially announced the recipient of its prestigious 2025 Community Area Revitalization Efforts (CARE) Award. This year, the honor goes to Hope Credit Union and Hope Enterprise Corporation—collectively known as HOPE—in recognition of their exceptional dedication to community development, affordable housing, and financial equity across some of the most economically challenged regions of the Deep South.
The CARE Award is one of FHLB Dallas’ most meaningful distinctions, highlighting a member financial institution’s significant impact on local communities through targeted investments and use of FHLB Dallas’ grant and advance programs. In addition to the public recognition, the award includes a $15,000 charitable donation from FHLB Dallas, to be directed by the award recipient to nonprofit organizations of their choice.
A Legacy of Empowering Underserved Communities
HOPE is no stranger to rolling up its sleeves and doing the difficult, transformational work needed in economically distressed areas. As a community development financial institution (CDFI), HOPE operates with the mission of strengthening communities, building assets, and improving lives in the Deep South, with a focus on serving African Americans, Latinos, women, and residents of low-income and rural areas.
Over the years, HOPE has forged a strong relationship with FHLB Dallas, utilizing its suite of community-focused funding programs to implement initiatives that offer both immediate relief and long-term structural improvements for families and individuals. This partnership has resulted in hundreds of homes repaired, first-time homebuyers assisted, and new affordable housing units built or rehabilitated.
Making a Difference Through FHLB Dallas Programs
FHLB Dallas’ Community Investment programs are designed to support affordable housing, economic development, and infrastructure projects across its five-state district. Among the most widely used programs are the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP), the Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP), and the Affordable Housing Program (AHP). HOPE has effectively deployed all three.
Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)
One of the core reasons HOPE was selected for the 2025 CARE Award is its consistent and strategic use of the SNAP program. SNAP provides funding to help low-income, special-needs homeowners—such as seniors, individuals with disabilities, and veterans—make critical home repairs and modifications. These upgrades are essential for ensuring safety, accessibility, and quality of life.
HOPE has leveraged SNAP funding to assist residents in repairing roofing, replacing HVAC systems, installing wheelchair ramps, and upgrading kitchens and bathrooms for accessibility. Many of these projects help people stay in their homes longer, avoid institutional care, and live with dignity and independence. For families already facing economic pressure, these upgrades are transformative.
Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)
HOPE’s effective use of the HELP program has also been instrumental in its recognition. HELP provides grants to qualifying first-time homebuyers to cover down payment and closing costs—often the most significant barriers to homeownership for low- and moderate-income families.
By facilitating access to this critical funding, HOPE has opened the door to homeownership for hundreds of individuals and families who might otherwise remain stuck in the cycle of renting. These new homeowners gain stability, build equity, and have a stake in the communities they live in. Homeownership is widely recognized as one of the most effective tools for generational wealth creation, and HOPE’s work in this area is both impactful and deeply personal.
Affordable Housing Program (AHP)
HOPE also stands out for its work with FHLB Dallas’ flagship Affordable Housing Program, which provides competitive grants to fund the development or rehabilitation of affordable rental or owner-occupied housing. Through this program, HOPE has contributed to the creation of sustainable, energy-efficient housing for vulnerable populations across the Deep South.
In regions where quality, affordable housing is in short supply, these developments not only provide safe and affordable homes, but they also help stabilize neighborhoods, attract local investment, and support broader economic revitalization.
A Testament to Resilience and Purpose
Speaking on the award, HOPE CEO Bill Bynum emphasized that the recognition reflects not only the institution’s efforts, but also the strength and resilience of the communities they serve.
“Being honored by FHLB Dallas and recognized as the 2025 CARE Award recipient is a testament to the resilience of our members and the under-resourced Deep South communities we serve,” said Bynum. “We’re deeply grateful to FHLB Dallas for their partnership and for the opportunity to expand our impact through their support.”
This sentiment resonates deeply across HOPE’s service areas—communities historically overlooked by mainstream financial institutions. HOPE has taken bold steps to fill that gap by offering access to capital, credit, and financial tools that promote upward mobility.
A Model for Community Banking
Bruce Hatton, community marketing and outreach manager in the Community Investment department at FHLB Dallas, praised HOPE’s effectiveness and vision.
“HOPE’s impact on affordable housing and community investment in some of this nation’s poorest towns and cities is remarkable,” said Hatton. “They exemplify what the CARE Award is all about—using financial tools to empower people, stabilize neighborhoods, and break cycles of poverty. We congratulate HOPE and look forward to more great things from them.”
This acknowledgment not only underscores HOPE’s influence on the ground but also serves as a model for what financial institutions can accomplish when they prioritize community engagement and inclusive growth.
The Broader Implications of HOPE’s Work
The CARE Award is more than a commendation; it’s a call to action for the financial services industry to double down on inclusive practices. As income inequality, housing instability, and racial wealth gaps continue to challenge American society, institutions like HOPE are at the forefront of developing sustainable, people-centered solutions.
Their efforts are made even more effective through strategic collaborations with organizations like FHLB Dallas, which provide access to funding that would otherwise be out of reach for small institutions or nonprofits. These partnerships exemplify how systemic change is possible when policy, finance, and grassroots efforts align.
Looking Forward
As HOPE looks to the future, the organization remains committed to expanding its reach and continuing to build economic opportunity in communities where it’s needed most. The $15,000 donation from FHLB Dallas that accompanies the CARE Award will help further this mission by supporting nonprofit initiatives that are aligned with HOPE’s values.
With more families gaining access to safe homes, more first-time buyers closing on properties, and more seniors able to age in place with dignity, the results of HOPE’s work are both measurable and profound.
