HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sarah Diamond became the first HOPE grant recipient on Friday at First National Bank's 25th and Main location.
"It's hard not to be emotional," a grateful Diamond said.
The Homeownership Possibilities Expanded (HOPE) grant just opened March 4. The $4.1 million funding was reserved within two weeks.
FHLBank Topeka launched the program this year as an addition to its longstanding down-payment assistance efforts.
HOPE provides funding for the "missing middle," homebuyers that do not traditionally receive support for down payment, closing costs or eligible repairs, the bank said in a release.
Diamond's grant was approved in three days.
Diamond recalled the excitement of her First National Bank loan officer, Cindy Sherraden: "I'm putting it (the grant approval) through at 7:59 a.m. on the day," Sherraden told her. The story was met with joyous laughter from those joining the celebratory milestone.
Diamond's children were so excited to get into the new home that they slept on the floor the first night.
Since 1997, FHLBank Topeka has awarded nearly $100 million in grant funding through its traditional down payment assistance program.
"We were surprised at how quickly the funding went," Matt Koupal, FHLBank Topeka, said. Koupal and his team were optimistic the funding would be used and utilized quickly. "It went in less than two weeks."
"A lot of that is driven by our members, especially First National Bank," Koupal said. "We looked back at some of the data and First National Bank of Hutchinson has been one of our primary users of these programs."
Koupal said FNB Hutch has provided 70 homeowners with more than $450,000 in down-payment assistance. In the Hutchinson area, the Federal Home Loan Bank program has supported more than 250 homeowners with more than $1.3 million.
Diamond received a grant for $12,500 under the new program.
HOPE is not limited to first-time homebuyers and household incomes up to 150% of the area median income can qualify.
FHLBank Topeka sets aside 10% of its earnings annually to support affordable housing efforts in partnership with its member financial institutions. That number will increase to 15% for 2025.
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