The Home Depot Canada Foundation Commits $10 Million To Help Homeless Youth In Canada

Foundation launches white paper and pledges $10 million, three-year commitment to support renovation and repair projects, life skill programs, research and collaboration with experts

OTTAWA, Oct. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - The Home Depot® Canada Foundation released its Thought Leadership White Paper on Youth Homelessness today. It notes that breaking the cycle of youth homelessness goes beyond providing shelter.

The Home Depot Canada Foundation has supported the issue of affordable housing in Canada since its inception in 2009. This year, it narrowed its focus to affordable housing and youth after completing a scan of the affordable housing landscape in Canada. The $10 million, three-year commitment will harness the capabilities of The Home Depot Canada Foundation and its network, focusing on renovation and repair projects, life skill development programs, and research and collaboration programs.

"Research shows that reaching homeless youth early with housing and life skills support solutions will decrease the likelihood they will become chronically homeless adults. By focusing our efforts on youth and housing, we can maximize our resources, help youth realize their potential and build brighter futures," said Peg Hunter, Chair of the Board, The Home Depot Canada Foundation.

The research coming out of this white paper has helped to shape The Home Depot Canada Foundation's priorities and direction. Over the next three years the organization will work collaboratively with stakeholders including non-profit, government and other corporations to share knowledge and best practices addressing youth homelessness. Specifically, The Home Depot Canada Foundation will take action by:

• Helping to ensure more homeless youth have access to housing that is safe and supportive
• Establishing a thought leadership advisory council comprised of Canada's leading authorities on the issue
• Creating a youth advisory council to ensure their commitments align with the needs of homeless youth, as defined by homeless youth
• Supporting new research to better understand the circumstances and needs of homeless youth in Canada through more evidence-based data

"Our Government is working with partners and communities to find real and innovative solutions to end homelessness," said The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development). "I applaud the work of the Home Depot Canada Foundation in our shared goal to make a lasting difference in the lives of the most vulnerable Canadians, including youth."

"Ensuring our most vulnerable youth have a safe place to live and access to support services is vital to helping break the cycle of homelessness," said Joanne Lowe, Executive Director, Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. "The Home Depot Canada Foundation is taking an important step today to provide our youth with the opportunities they need to have a successful future."

The Home Depot Canada Foundation's direction is supported by a white paper on the subject of youth homelessness developed by Impakt Corporation, a leading corporate social responsibility consultancy. Their research revealed that homelessness affects tens of thousands of Canadian youth every year and comes with extraordinarily high personal and socioeconomic costs. Research also found that the most effective approaches to solving youth homelessness combine access to housing and support services.

The Foundation's refined focus on homeless youth aligns with its previous financial, in-kind and volunteer support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Habitat for Humanity Canada, and a variety of local housing organizations operating in communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

The Home Depot Canada Foundation
Since 2009, The Home Depot Canada Foundation has invested more than $10-million to help improve homes and communities across Canada because it believes that good neighbours make great neighbourhoods. The Foundation's primary focus is to support housing initiatives that benefit Canadian youth because safe, stable, affordable housing matters. It is the cornerstone of vibrant, strong communities and is directly linked to helping youth realize their full potential and build brighter futures. Learn more: www.homedepot.ca/foundation

Impakt Corporation
Founded in 2001, Impakt helps corporations and not-for-profit organizations become social purpose leaders, by discovering and leveraging areas where they make unique and positive change in society. Learn more: impaktcorp.com

SOURCE: The Home Depot Canada