There are few companies and organizations out there that do more for veterans than the Home Depot and the Home Depot Foundation. Home Depot employs more than 35,000 veterans and with specific online courses dedicated to applicants from the military community, the company recognizes the unique circumstances and opportunity that veterans can bring to the workforce. As for the Home Depot Foundation, last year they announced they had invested more than $500 million in veterans causes since 2011, with a new commitment to hit $750 million by 2030., estimated to assist some 50,000 veterans.
In recognition of Veterans Day this year, the Home Depot Foundation announced $10 million towards that goal with the specific aim of helping older veterans age in their current addresses (sometimes called “aging in place”) and avoid homelessness. The Department of Veterans estimates the number of veterans over the age of 85 who require care will increase by more than 500 percent in the next 20 years. The number of World War II veterans is dwindling but the numbers of Vietnam Veterans and others from the late draft period are hitting that age soon. Sadly, homelessness is a threat even for elderly veterans, with veterans disproportionately impacted compared to the general population. Veteran homeless had seen a 55 percent decrease over the past 10 years before a slight rise again last year.
“As veterans age, small accessibility modifications can mean the difference between remaining in their own homes versus being displaced,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “With this new $10 million investment, The Home Depot Foundation is proud to further our support of our nonprofit partners improving veteran housing across the country, helping veterans safely maintain their independence for years to come.”
This new funding will help refurbish and create 230 rental units and more than 125 urgent home repairs for low-income veterans’ families with the assistance of U.S.VETS, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Operations Homefront. Additionally, rental and mortgage assistance will be provided to more than 270 veterans. For veterans with significant service-related disabilities, Semper FI and America’s Fund will be adapting and repairing 400 homes and the Gary Sinise Foundation will be building seven fully customized smart homes.
“The generous investment from The Home Depot Foundation is an important step forward in our shared mission to support and uplift our veterans through housing,” said Stephen Peck, CEO of U.S.VETS. “We are honored to be a partner in this initiative to expand affordable, accessible supportive housing that meets the needs of those who have bravely served our nation.”
Besides the funding, Team Depot, the Home Depot’s volunteer force is undertaking hundreds of service projects nationwide throughout the month of November to enhance the safety and accessibility of veterans’ homes.
