After Homelessness and Loss, Home$tart Leads to Homeownership Dreams
last updated on Thursday, May 7, 2026 in Affordable Housing
FHLB Des Moines recently partnered with member, GNB Bank, to provide a Home$tart® grant, helping a local individual achieve their homeownership dreams after overcoming several challenges in their life including homelessness and the deaths of both parents.
“15 years ago, I was homeless on the streets of Seattle because they were safer than my home,” said the homebuyer. “Since that time, not only have I worked hard to heal myself but also worked on my credit and kept dreaming of owning my own home.”
The homebuyer was referred to Megan Claude, mortgage/consumer loan officer, by existing GNB Bank customers. Claude and the homebuyer worked together on the approval process, and it was extra meaningful for Claude as it marked the first time she was able to use a Home$tart grant to assist a homebuyer.
“The homebuyer was a pleasure to work with throughout the entire process and was incredibly responsive, providing documentation quickly, which helped us get them qualified,” said Claude. “When I shared their approval, they could hardly believe it—and thanks to the grant, they are now able to truly make the home their own.”
“I never could have achieved my dreams without this grant,” the homebuyer continues. “Thank you GNB Bank and FHLB Des Moines, you have empowered me to believe that dreams can come true and there are wonderful people who still care in the world.”
Home$tart is a down payment and closing cost assistance program offered by FHLB Des Moines that provides qualifying first-time homebuyers with a $15,000 grant.
GNB Bank is an employee-owned, community bank with assets totaling $630 million. It has seven locations in Ackley, Conrad, Grundy Center, Iowa Falls, Manchester, Marshalltown and Story City. Building lifetime customer relationships since 1934, GNB Bank provides convenient banking solutions, loans, and traditional FDIC-insured accounts, as well as trust, investments, insurance, and real estate.
Equal Housing Lender / Member FDIC.
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- Home$tart