Over 1,000 U.S. veterans are living in safe, decent homes repaired or built by Habitat for Humanity and The Home Depot Foundation

ATLANTA, Nov. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity commemorates this Veterans Day with a milestone of repairing, renovating or constructing the homes of over 1,000 U.S. military veterans and their families thanks to The Home Depot Foundation's generous support of Habitat's Repair Corps program since 2011.

"We are so thankful to our servicemen and women who have dedicated their lives to our country and are proud to serve those who have sacrificed so much," said Shannon Gerber, executive director at The Home Depot Foundation. "Through selfless acts of courage and bravery, they have given us our freedom, and it's our great honor to partner with Habitat to give back to them."

 According to National Veteran Housing Data, of the nearly 21 million veterans in the U.S., 1.5 million are living below the poverty level. Over a quarter of veterans' homes have one or more problems, yet many are unable to afford home repairs. Habitat's Repair Corps works in partnership with veterans to assist with critical home repairs needs, like installing new HVAC units to help improve air quality, replacing leaking roofs, fixing flooring or installing wheelchair ramps.

Among over 1,000 veterans who have been helped through Repair Corps are homeowners like Marguerite, a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy both on active duty and in the Navy Reserve and received the Kuwait Liberation Medal. She and her family are living a healthier, safer and more stable life thanks to home repairs they may otherwise not have been able to afford.

"Millions of veterans are living below the poverty level and home repairs, especially in an aging home, often are too costly and left unattended," said David Gilkeson, director, Habitat for Humanity's Veterans Build. "We are thankful for The Home Depot Foundation's passion for veterans and contribution of $2.9 million to this year's Repair Corps project."

With the help of The Home Depot's associate-led volunteer force, known as Team Depot, over 50 local Habitat organizations across the U.S. are anticipated to build, repair or rehabilitate more than 170 veteran households with this year's contribution from The Home Depot Foundation. Since Repair Corps' launch in 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has donated $19.2 million, including this year's contribution, and helped build, repair or rehabilitate 1,026 homes in in partnership with U.S. military veterans and their families.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is a 501c3 committed to improving the homes and lives of U.S. veterans and their families with a specific focus on combat-wounded, senior and homeless veterans. The foundation also provides clean-up and rebuilding support for communities affected by natural disasters.

Since 2011, The Home Depot Foundation has invested approximately $200 million in veteran-related projects, part of the foundation's quarter of a billion dollar pledge to veteran-related causes by 2020. In partnership with Team Depot, the 400,000-strong army of associate volunteers, the organization has positively impacted more than 33,000 veterans' homes and helped more than 2,000 communities.

To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation and see Team Depot in action, visit homedepot.com/teamdepot and follow us on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram @teamdepot and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/teamdepot.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity

Related Links

http://www.habitat.org

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