Habitat for Humanity and The Home Depot Foundation Partner to Repair Homes With U.S. Military Veterans and Their Families

ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International and The Home Depot Foundation® today announced a new joint program, Repair Corps, to remodel and renovate the homes of U.S. military veterans. With $1.5 million in funding from The Home Depot Foundation, volunteer assistance from Team Depot, The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force, and technical assistance from Habitat for Humanity International, the goal of Repair Corps is to provide Habitat affiliates across the country with the resources to repair the homes of nearly 100 veterans and their families.

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"We are committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home," said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. "Habitat for Humanity has its finger on the pulse of the needs of homeowners in communities nationwide, and we know that through our joint Repair Corps program, we'll be able to identify and help veterans whose homes are in critical need of repair."  

The partnership has three components:

* Thirty-six Habitat affiliates in 21 states across the country have been selected to participate in an $800,000 pilot program managed by Habitat for Humanity International.  Home repair grants will be allocated in amounts up to $10,000 for each Repair Corps project.

Repair Corps grants will pay for needed home repairs from insulation and weather stripping to the installation of wheelchair ramps and renovated bathrooms and doorways to accommodate disabled veterans. Larger repairs such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and structural improvements will also be available. The program is designed under the same model as new homes built for Habitat families where the veteran will repay the zero interest loan necessary for these repairs, which is then deposited into a revolving fund to assist additional families in need of decent housing.

* Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles is receiving a direct grant of $400,000 to support its "Homes for Heroes" program. The Home Depot Foundation's grant will provide critical home repairs to 25 veterans and their families to alleviate health, life and safety issues. The effort will include modifications for handicapped accessibility.

* Habitat for Humanity Houston is receiving a direct grant of $300,000 to fund its "Home Assistance Program for Veterans." The Home Depot Foundation's grant will be used to repair and retrofit the homes of 20 veterans and their families, including handicapped accessibility modifications where necessary.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with The Home Depot Foundation by launching the Repair Corps program to serve U.S. veterans," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "It is truly an honor for our organizations to partner with former service men and women and their families to create safe, decent and affordable housing."

Today's announcement is the third of weekly grant announcements during The Home Depot Foundation's "Celebration of Service" campaign to honor U.S. military veterans. Each Monday between September 11 and Veterans Day (November 11), The Home Depot Foundation will announce approximately $1 million in grants to veterans' initiatives for a total of $9.1 million by Veterans Day. Grants announced during "Celebration of Service" are part of The Home Depot Foundation's commitment of $30 million over three years to veterans' housing needs.  Visit www.homedepotfoundation.org/celebrationofservice to learn more.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every U.S. military veteran has a safe place to call home.  In April 2011, the Foundation pledged a three-year, $30 million initiative to address veterans' critical housing needs. Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, visit Habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build simple, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. For more information, visit http://www.habitatla.org.

About Houston Habitat for Humanity

Since 1987, Houston Habitat for Humanity, along with thousands of sponsors and volunteers, has built more than 830 affordable homes for purchase by hard-working, low-income Houstonians. Qualified Houston Habitat homebuyers agree to a no-interest mortgage and contribute 300 hours of "sweat equity" in lieu of a down payment. Partner families are also provided with classes on money management and home maintenance. More information about Houston Habitat is available at www.houstonhabitat.org.

SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation