ATLANTA — Habitat for Humanity International and The Home Depot Foundation® 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, 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.

“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 HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, 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.”

For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.

Publication date: 10/10/2011