Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Expands Financial Assistance to Central Wisconsin Communities Affected by Flooding

CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) today announced that it will expand the counties it is currently assisting with its $500,000 Community First^® Disaster Relief Program to include central Wisconsin communities impacted by the severe storms, flash flooding, and mudslides that occurred on September 21-22, 2016. Assistance continues to be available to those northern Wisconsin counties affected by the storms and subsequent flooding that took place on July 11-12, 2016.  

Grants of $5,000 are available to eligible households and small businesses located in the central Wisconsin areas declared a disaster by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA disaster declaration DR-4288), which include Adams, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, and Vernon counties. Funds are available to individuals and business owners through local banks, credit unions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies that are members of the FHLBC. Grants are still available for eligible applicants located in northern Wisconsin outlined in FEMA disaster declaration DR-4276.

The funding is available now for immediate access through March 24, 2017, on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible households or small businesses that apply for a disaster assistance grant through any FHLBC member financial institution. A list of members is on www.fhlbc.com. Potential applicants should contact the member institution directly to see if they qualify for assistance.

"We are extremely pleased to extend our support to now include communities in central Wisconsin that are served by our member institutions," said William Sennholz, FHLBC Chairman of the Board and President of Forward Financial Bank located in Marshfield, Wisconsin. "Utilizing the FHLBC's Community First Disaster Relief Program during these times of need is at the very heart of our mission."

The impacted counties are located within the congressional districts of either U.S. Representatives Ron Kind (WI-03) or Sean Duffy (WI-07). Congressional members have lauded the efforts of the FHLBC. 

"Severe storms and subsequent flooding in Wisconsin have left families and communities wondering how they are going to rebuild," said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. "The expansion of FHLBC grants will help bring relief to homeowners and businesses affected in Wisconsin."

"Since September's severe weather I've been working hard to make sure resources are available to help rebuild our communities across western and central Wisconsin. The Community First Disaster Relief Program is an important additional resource available to residents and businesses who are in the process of rebuilding," said Congressman Kind.

"Thank you again to the FHLBC for, once again, rushing to help our friends and neighbors in need. I have continued to work with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that these communities have the resources they need to get back on track, and it is great to have a partner on the non-government side as well," said Rep. Duffy. "I want to make sure area homeowners and businesses know about the FHLBC's Community First Disaster Relief Program – and the extended areas that are now included in it. It's one more resource to help families and local businesses in need."

About the Community First Disaster Relief Program
For more information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the Community First Disaster Relief Program, please visit www.fhlbc.com or @FHLBC. "Community First" is a registered trademark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160314/343850LOGO

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Related Links

http://www.fhlbc.com