Federal Independent Agencies
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Inter-American Development Bank: 'Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in December 2025 entitled "Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas."
Here are excerpts:
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Abstract
This study explores the multiple enablers and barriers to school transportation and their broader social implications in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. We examine the complex interplay between physical, functional, and social factors shaping children's, parents ', and caregivers' daily access to school. A central revelation is the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in December 2025 entitled "Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Abstract
This study explores the multiple enablers and barriers to school transportation and their broader social implications in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. We examine the complex interplay between physical, functional, and social factors shaping children's, parents ', and caregivers' daily access to school. A central revelation is theprofoundly gendered nature of school transportation responsibilities in Nassau, with women constituting 83% of our sample who organize or undertake these daily journeys. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a survey of 477 caregivers across Nassau, we adopt a mixed-methods approach combining descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and cluster modelling. We identify four distinct groups based on their perceptions of traffic safety, harassment risks, and climate-related barriers, including one cluster for whom flooding and other extreme weather concerns are central drivers of school transportation challenges. Our findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, minimal enforcement of school zone traffic laws, and the perceived threat of harassment or violence pose significant barriers to children's safe and enjoyable access to education. At the same time, extended family support and targeted school-zone measures emerge as notable enablers, alleviating some of the burdens placed on caregivers. Building on these insights, we offer evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice, underscoring the need for cross-sector collaboration to enhance infrastructure, strengthen traffic law enforcement, and address social vulnerabilities. By highlighting cluster-specific concerns--from gender-based violence to climate impacts--this paper provides a nuanced understanding of how school transportation challenges intersect with gender norms and broader societal issues, offering practical pathways toward more inclusive and resilient mobility systems for children and their caregivers. The paper also outlines future research directions around the consequences of these barriers and enablers for caregivers' time use, labor participation and well-being.
1. Introduction
School transportation in the urban Caribbean presents various challenges that can limit children's access to education and place a particular burden on caregivers, most of whom are women. In Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, these challenges become more apparent given rising poverty rates, pronounced inequalities, and insufficient transportation infrastructure. Although The Bahamas is classified as a high-income country, recent data indicates that the lowest 40% of the population accounts for only 16% of total consumption, highlighting uneven access to the resources required for reliable mobility, and signaling inequalities in the ability of different households to navigate access to school (The World Bank, 2023).
In Nassau, fragmented public transit services and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure lead to concerns about cost, safety, and the time needed to ensure children arrive at school without incident for families relying on these transportation options. Studies in other Global South contexts show that absent or poorly maintained infrastructure and a lack of traffic safety measures can make children's commutes hazardous, contributing to an over-reliance on motorized transportation (Aranda-Balboa et al., 2020). Private vehicle dependency for school commutes disrupts household schedules, the distribution of caregiving responsibilities, and contributes to congestion across the city, particularly during drop-off and pick-up school peak times. Research has also identified concerns about crime and harassment as significant factors in many caregivers' decisions to avoid walking or using public transportation, which further limits the feasibility of less expensive and active travel options (Montoya-Robledo et al., 2020; Roy et al., 2024).
Despite its relevance for households and the city's mobility, and after checking on specialized academic databases, there has been no prior research on the various determinants of access to school in The Bahamas. Furthermore, there is currently no empirical evidence on the strategies children, and their caregivers use to secure access to school or the consequences they face on individual, household, and community scales. Therefore, as the first study that examines what transportation barriers and enablers children and their caregivers of different income levels and neighborhood characteristics face when traveling to and from school in Nassau, this paper serves to fill an important gap in the research on school transportation.
Understanding how school transportation barriers intersect with gendered caregiving responsibilities is central to this objective. Numerous studies have shown that women bear a disproportionate share of household and caregiving tasks, often involving arranging or accompanying children during daily commutes (Schwanen, 2008; McDonald, 2008). In contexts with limited transportation services, these responsibilities can lead to decreased labor market participation, increased time poverty, and emotional strain (Schwanen et al., 2015).
Societal norms regarding children's independence, along with concerns about road safety or harassment, may further drive protective behaviors, such as insisting on private vehicle use or close supervision (Montoya-Robledo et al., 2020).
These gendered mobility patterns have been observed in various urban areas worldwide but have received little attention in Caribbean islands, beyond occasional mentions of youth safety in high-crime neighborhoods (Roy et al., 2024; Sener et al., 2019). Recent demographic shifts in The Bahamas, including rising unemployment, food insecurity, and changing household sizes (The Government of The Bahamas, 2023; Karpyn et al., 2021), increase the need to examine how caregivers navigate daily journeys to school amidst financial and infrastructural stress. Additionally, climate-related factors further complicate access to schools. Storms and heavy rainfall can disrupt transportation operations and render parts of existing infrastructure unusable, while extreme heat makes it difficult for everybody (but particularly for vulnerable population groups) to travel by non-motorized means. Extreme heat also makes the use of public transit more challenging, disrupting the functional aspect of mobility in cities like Nassau (UNDP, 2025).
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Navigating-School-Journeys-Barriers-and-Enablers-for-Children-and-Caregivers-in-Nassau-Bahamas.pdf
[Category: IADB]
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in Decembr 2025 entitled "Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
Digital technologies are reshaping labor markets, creating both new demands and possibilities for the design of active labor market policies (programs that support individuals' integration into the labor market). In many countries, a considerable proportion of firms are unable to
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in Decembr 2025 entitled "Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
Digital technologies are reshaping labor markets, creating both new demands and possibilities for the design of active labor market policies (programs that support individuals' integration into the labor market). In many countries, a considerable proportion of firms are unable tofind workers with the necessary digital skills to fill their job vacancies (e.g., Novella and RosasShady, 2023a; 2023b; Baptista et al., 2023a). This has fueled growing interest in training programs aimed at equipping jobseekers with digital skills, as well as in training modalities that leverage emerging digital tools.1 Yet, evidence on the effectiveness of these programs remains limited, particularly rigorous impact evaluations based on credible estimation strategies. This document reviews the evidence from 26 such evaluations, 15 of which were published in 2024 or later. Despite the limited evidence base, policy recommendations are beginning to emerge regarding program design. These interventions show promise in achieving their intended outcomes, but also reveal important limitations that policymakers should address.
The present paper analyzes three types of interventions: (i) digital skills bootcamps and other advanced digital skills training programs; (ii) programs to improve online labor market outcomes; and (iii) Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other new methodologies of delivering training programs. Before turning to the systematic review of the literature, we first summarize some of the main findings on the effectiveness of these three types of programs: Digital skills bootcamps and other advanced digital skills training programs. Only nine studies have evaluated these programs using robust empirical methods -- a surprisingly small number for an industry that generated over USD $800 million globally in training alone in 2024.
Moreover, the limited evidence that does exist largely focuses on short-term impacts.
Evidence suggests that these programs can support transitions into technology-related jobs and increase earnings in some contexts, particularly when they included direct employer linkages (such as internships), but overall labor market impacts and cost-effectiveness remain unclear. Some studies suggest that null results for overall employment may be due to participants holding out for tech jobs rather than accepting lower-skilled positions for which they are already qualified.
Programs to improve online labor market outcomes. Evaluations of these programs raise important questions about scalability, accessibility, and long-term effectiveness. While some programs -- particularly those delivered online -- offer potential for scale, low completion rates persist as a major challenge. Complementary interventions to boost completion, such as personalized tutoring, have raised costs (e.g., to over USD $700 per person) without generating proportional improvements in completion or impact. Moreover, evidence suggests that while many participants gain initial access to digital platforms, their success is often shortlived without strong technical skills and job-matching support. In-person training appears to be more effective in improving completion rates.
MOOCs and other new methodologies of delivering training programs. Evidence of these programs offers valuable insights for scaling effective training interventions, though it also reveals key limitations. For example, while MOOCs have the potential to distribute content at scale, a significant downside is their low completion rates, often in the single digits -- with males, wealthier individuals, and those with strong non-cognitive skills being more likely to complete them. This pattern of selective completion suggests that while providing free access to MOOCs theoretically offers high-quality training to all, economic constraints -- such as the cost of sustained internet access or the opportunity cost of time -- still likely affect course completion. As a result, MOOCs may primarily benefit those who already have the resources and skills to engage fully. Light-touch interventions, such as reminders, have proven insufficient to improve completion rates. Similarly, emerging evidence on generative AI-based training tools suggests that these technologies can effectively boost productivity, but evidence on who benefits the most is mixed.
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Bridging-Skills-and-Employment-A-Review-of-Advanced-Digital-Skills-Training-Online-Labor-Market-Programs-and-Innovative-Training-Methodologies.pdf
[Category: IADB]
Edward C. Forst Sworn in as GSA Administrator
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Edward C. Forst Sworn in as GSA Administrator
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INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL Today, Edward C. Forst was sworn in as Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) by the Honorable Brian T. Foley, mayor of Indian River Shores. Administrator Forst, a Florida resident, is in the state honoring his civic duty locally as a potential juror, and now federally, as the Trump Administration's new GSA Administrator.
Although federal officials are typically sworn-in to office in Washington D.C.,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release:
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Edward C. Forst Sworn in as GSA Administrator
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INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL Today, Edward C. Forst was sworn in as Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) by the Honorable Brian T. Foley, mayor of Indian River Shores. Administrator Forst, a Florida resident, is in the state honoring his civic duty locally as a potential juror, and now federally, as the Trump Administration's new GSA Administrator.
Although federal officials are typically sworn-in to office in Washington D.C.,Administrator Forst beginning his service as a member of the Trump Administration in a local Florida community demonstrates his commitment to civic responsibility on a state and national level. Ed will bring this dedication and love of country to GSA and its mission.
"I'm honored that President Trump put his trust in me and I thank Mayor Foley for taking the time to swear me in as GSA Administrator on such short notice," said GSA Administrator Ed Forst. "Over the past four months I've met with GSA employees, listened to what's working well and what we can be doing better. I'm fired up to get to work and proud to start serving in President Trump's Administration for the American people."
Administrator Forst brings nearly four decades of experience in financial services, real estate, and executive management to GSA. He previously served in the U.S. Government as an Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury and has held executive positions at numerous global firms, including as President and Chief Executive at Cushman & Wakefield, and as a member of the Management Committee at Goldman, Sachs & Co. where he was co-head of the Investment Management Division and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.
"Today is a reminder of what public service looks like at its best," said Mayor Brian Foley. "I am proud to swear in a GSA Federal administrator who didn't look for an excuse to delay, but instead honored jury duty during the week of Christmas and still stepped forward to be sworn in so he could immediately begin serving the public. That choice speaks volumes about his character. Our community and the government as a whole is stronger when leaders live those values. I couldn't be more pleased to welcome him into service."
Administrator Forst's nomination received strong support following his testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 18, 2025.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of over 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $110 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
Contact
press@gsa.gov
***
Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/edward-c-forst-sworn-in-as-gsa-administrator-12242025
SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Minnesota Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Skyline Tower Apartment Complex Fire and Severe Water Damage
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Minnesota Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Skyline Tower Apartment Complex Fire and Severe Water Damage
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Minnesota businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the Skyline Tower apartment complex fire and severe water damage occurring Oct. 26. The SBA issued a disaster
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Minnesota Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Skyline Tower Apartment Complex Fire and Severe Water Damage
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Minnesota businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the Skyline Tower apartment complex fire and severe water damage occurring Oct. 26. The SBA issued a disasterdeclaration in response to a request received from Gov. Tim Walz on Dec. 19.
The declaration covers the primary county of Ramsey and the adjacent counties of Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, and Washington in Minnesota, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA.
Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
"When disasters strike, SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available."
SBA's EIDL program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 3% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant's financial condition.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 29, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the primary county of Ramsey to answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The DLOC hours of operation are listed below:
Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Ramsey County
The Sanneh Foundation
1276 University Ave W
St Paul, MN 55104
Opening: Monday, Dec. 29, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
Temporary Closed: New Years Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
Permanently Closing: Jan. 10, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Feb. 20, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Sep. 22, 2026.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/12/23/sba-offers-disaster-relief-minnesota-small-businesses-private-nonprofits-residents-affected-skyline
Fannie Mae Releases November 2025 Monthly Summary
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Releases November 2025 Monthly Summary
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) November 2025 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae's monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates.
Follow Fannie Mae
fanniemae.com
On X: @FannieMae
Media Contact
Kelly Antonacci
202-752-4647
Fannie Mae Newsroom
https://www.fanniemae.com/news
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
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Fannie Mae Releases November 2025 Monthly Summary
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WASHINGTON, DC - Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTCQB) November 2025 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae's monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates.
Follow Fannie Mae
fanniemae.com
On X: @FannieMae
Media Contact
Kelly Antonacci
202-752-4647
Fannie Mae Newsroom
https://www.fanniemae.com/news
Photo of Fannie Mae
https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif
TOPICS
* Fannie Mae Corporate
* Financials
***
Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/fannie-mae-releases-november-2025-monthly-summary
FHLBanks Will Not Issue a Global on December 22
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System's Office of Finance issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2025:
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FHLBanks Will Not Issue a Global on December 22
Today, the FHLBank System is announcing that no Global will be issued or reopened on the December 22 calendar date.
The next Global opportunity for the FHLBanks is January 20, 2026, per the Global calendar that is published and available on the Office of Finance website. On these predetermined dates, the FHLBanks have the option of issuing a new Global, reopening an existing Global, or deferring until the next
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System's Office of Finance issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2025:
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FHLBanks Will Not Issue a Global on December 22
Today, the FHLBank System is announcing that no Global will be issued or reopened on the December 22 calendar date.
The next Global opportunity for the FHLBanks is January 20, 2026, per the Global calendar that is published and available on the Office of Finance website. On these predetermined dates, the FHLBanks have the option of issuing a new Global, reopening an existing Global, or deferring until the nextscheduled opportunity.
This announcement is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of offers to buy, these securities.
The FHLBanks have delivered innovation and service to the U.S. housing market since 1932, and currently have approximately 6,400 members serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Please contact Tom Heinle at (703) 467-3646 or theinle@fhlb-of.com for additional information.
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Original text here: https://fhlb-of.com/ofweb_userWeb/resources/PR2025-1222-NoGlobal.pdf
2026 Community Investment Offerings
DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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2026 Community Investment Offerings
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* Bulletin No: 2025-39
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) is pleased to announce its 2026 Community Investment offerings. In addition to the Affordable Housing Program, the Bank provides grant and loan programs to assist members with funding for veterans' assistance, small business financing, support for community organizations, assistance with heirs' property issues and funding of storm-resistant
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DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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2026 Community Investment Offerings
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* Bulletin No: 2025-39
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) is pleased to announce its 2026 Community Investment offerings. In addition to the Affordable Housing Program, the Bank provides grant and loan programs to assist members with funding for veterans' assistance, small business financing, support for community organizations, assistance with heirs' property issues and funding of storm-resistantroofing. See below for 2026 information on each program.
Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund
The AHP General Fund is the Bank's competitive housing subsidy program. AHP grants support the purchase, construction or rehabilitation of owner-occupied and rental housing that serves income-qualified households.
* Up to $1.75 million per project available nationwide
* Apply from Tuesday, March 31, 2026, through Thursday, April 30, 2026, via the GrantConnect portal
The Bank will hold several AHP Workshops throughout the District beginning in February. See fhlb.com/events for dates and locations. Registration will open in January 2026. See fhlb.com/ahp and the Bank's Affordable Housing Program 2026 Implementation Plan for more information.
Community Investment Program (CIP)
The CIP provides advances to assist members in financing owner-occupied and rental housing by providing a favorably priced, match-funding source.
* Funds are noncompetitive and available year-round
* Uses include:
* Purchase or rehabilitation of owner-occupied and rental housing for income-qualified families
* Purchase of mortgage-backed securities representing a pool of loans that could be funded directly with CIP advances
* Investment in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
* All member institutions eligible to obtain standard advances from the Bank may apply for CIP advances
Disaster Rebuilding Assistance (DRA)
DRA is designed to support households in the Bank's member communities that have been declared disaster areas eligible for individual assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since January 1, 2022. See fhlb.com/dra for more information.
* $3.5 million available
* Up to $15,000 per homeowner for repairs not covered by insurance or federal or state emergency assistance
* DRA will be provided in two offerings. The first offering will be made available Monday, February 2, 2026 and the second will open Monday, August 3, 2026
* Member cap: $262,500 per offering
* Assists homeowners at or below 80 percent of the area median income
* Each offering is administered on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted or November 15, 2026, whichever occurs first
* Any funds remaining at the end of the first offering will be added to the second offering
* New in 2026: DRA requests submitted for roof replacement must be for a FORTIFIED roof unless the structure cannot support a FORTIFIED roof
Disaster Relief Program (DRP)
The DRP helps finance any project that assists in recovery efforts in communities within the Bank's five-state District that have been declared disaster areas by FEMA. Individuals and business owners located within federally declared disaster areas may apply for funds through the Bank's member financial institutions. For more information, visit fhlb.com/disaster.
Economic Development Program (EDP)
The EDP provides members with favorably priced advances to support qualified economic and commercial development projects that benefit their surrounding communities. Hospitals, nursing homes, locally owned restaurants and retail shops are just a few examples of the types of community-centric businesses that have benefited from EDP advances.
* EDP advances may be used for new construction, renovation, small business financing, public works projects and historic preservation
* Funds are noncompetitive and available year-round
* All member institutions eligible to obtain standard advances from the Bank may apply for EDP advances
FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund - Homeownership
The FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund provides grants for a FORTIFIED roof to homeowners at or below 120 percent of the area median income. A FORTIFIED roof is designed to help mitigate damage from hurricanes, high winds, hail and severe thunderstorms.
Members may apply on behalf of multiple households in one request. The requested funds will be disbursed to members upon approval of the applications.
* $10 million available for homeowners
* Two offerings: Monday, January 26 and Wednesday, July 1, 2026
* Annual member cap: $1 million
* Annual intermediary cap: $1 million
* Up to $17,000 per homeowner
* Applications must include a minimum of five households and may include up to a maximum of 50 households
* The roof must be completed in accordance with FORTIFIED requirements certified by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
* Available until the funds are exhausted or December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first
* Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
* New in 2026 : Contractors must be FORTIFIED certified
* New in 2026 : IBHS Wildfire Prepared designation available for properties located in New Mexico only
FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund - Rental
The Bank will support resilient and affordable rental housing through the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund Rental Program by providing grants to public housing authorities to upgrade existing roofs on affordable rental properties to FORTIFIED roofs.
* $10 million available
* Application window: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 through Wednesday, September 30, 2026
* $1 million available per project
* Projects must be located within the Bank's five-state District
Pathway Fund
The Pathway Fund (formerly Heirs' Property Program) provides grants to organizations with experience addressing heirs' property issues. Heirs' property refers to property inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership. As property is passed down, the absence of a deed or will can become more complicated and can be a barrier to the ability to sell, collateralize, improve or otherwise transfer the property.
* $3 million available
* Member cap: $700,000
* Nonprofit, governmental entities or federally recognized tribes (collectively, "Organizations") located within the Bank's District may receive up to $150,000 to remediate titles
* Organizations may receive up to $25,000 to provide preventative services like property financial literacy education or preparation of wills
* Application window: Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 21, 2026
* Reviewed in the order received at the end of the application period
* New in 2026 : Organizations may receive up to $175,000 if providing both remediation and prevention services
Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)
HELP provides grants for down payment and/or closing cost assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers.
* $17 million available
* Up to $25,000 per homeowner in Texas and New Mexico
* Up to $20,000 per homeowner in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi and out-of-District
* Member cap of $150,000
* Funds will be made available in five rounds on January 2, April 6, May 4, June 15 and September 8, 2026
* Available until the funds are exhausted or December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first
* Submit applications via the GrantConnect portal
* Members must submit a one-time enrollment application and agreement
Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN)
HAVEN is a housing program designed to provide grants to households of veterans or active service members who were disabled as a result of an injury during their active military service. The program supports necessary home modifications or offsets new construction costs. It can also be used for down payment assistance for qualified first-time homebuyers.
Grant recipients must have a household member who qualifies as disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a branch of the U.S. military, the federal government or another acceptable source. Alternatively, the funds can be awarded to Gold Star Families.
* $1 million available
* HAVEN is being provided in two offerings: Thursday, January 15 and Wednesday, July 1, 2026
* Funds may be used for home modification, rehabilitation, new construction or down payment assistance for qualified first-time homebuyers
* Available until the funds are exhausted or December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first
Native American Housing Opportunities (NAHO) Fund
The NAHO Fund provides grants from $50,000 to $200,000 to support housing initiatives that federally recognized Native American tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entitiesorganizations working at the local levelidentify as critical to meeting tribal housing needs.
* $1.5 million available
* Maximum grant size of $200,000
* Application window opens Friday, May 1, 2026 and will remain open until the funds are exhausted or Friday, May 29, 2026, whichever occurs first
Partnership Grant Program (PGP)
The PGP provides funding for the operational needs of community-based organizations (CBOs), which are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations involved in affordable housing, local community development and small business technical assistance within the Bank's District. PGP applications will be accepted from Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 24, 2026.
* $1.5 million available
* The Bank will match member contributions of $500-$5,000 to eligible CBOs at a 5:1 ratio
* Up to $25,000 available per application
* To qualify, the CBO's annual revenue must be equal to or less than $1 million
* Grant recipients will be selected via a lottery system until the funds are exhausted
Small Business Boost (SBB)
SBB provides recoverable assistance to finance the start up or expansion of qualified small businesses. SBB funds are intended to help participating members provide financing for qualified small businesses by filling the gap between what the member can finance, and the loan request made by an eligible small business. SBB is provided to members as a secondary, unsecured loan in conjunction with a loan made by the member to the small business. See fhlb.com/sbb for more information.
* Minimum $4 million available
* The jobs requirement is one job for every $62,500 in SBB funds
* Maximum loan amount is the lesser of $125,000 or 50 percent of the member's loan amount
* No payments are due on the SBB loan in the first year
* Principal amortization begins in year two at which time the member may charge up to 3 percent interest on the SBB loan
* The Bank charges 3 percent interest beginning in the third year of the loan
* Examples of uses: Fill a financing gap due to lack of equity, a shortfall in collateral or initial cash flow challenges
* Available until December 4, 2026
Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides grants for housing rehabilitation to meet the needs of households with a resident that has special needs. See fhlb.com/snap and the Bank's Implementation Plan for more information.
* $1.8 million available
* $10,000 per household
* Member cap of $20,000 per offering
* Members must submit a one-time enrollment application and agreement
* SNAP-assisted properties must be located within the Bank's District
* Submit applications via the GrantConnect portal
* Two funding windows:
* 8:00 a.m. CT, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 through 5:00 p.m. CT, Thursday, March 5, 2026
* 8:00 a.m. CT, Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through 5:00 p.m. CT, Thursday, July 16, 2026
State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Education Grant Program
Provides grants to support the growth of homeownership education and financial counseling programs through the State HFAs located in the Bank's District.
* Applications are submitted by State HFAs from Monday, March 2, through Friday, March 20, 2026
* $600,000 in State HFA Education Grants are available for 2026
How to Apply
Detailed information on each of these programs, including applications and enrollment forms, guidelines and other information may be found at fhlb.com/community.
Please check fhlb.com periodically for program announcements. For questions regarding AHP, DRA, FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund, HAVEN, HELP, NAHO Fund, Pathway Fund, PGP, SNAP or the State HFA Education Grant Program, please contact Community Investment at 800.362.2944. For questions regarding SBB, CIP, EDP or DRP, please contact Member Services at 844.345.2265.
I hope you will use our affordable housing and economic development programs in 2026.
Sincerely,
Sanjay K. Bhasin
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb.com/library/bulletins/2025/2026-community-investment-offerings
