On Monday, September 26th The Home Depot Foundation announced Repair Corps, a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity to repair and renovate homes belonging to military veterans and their families. With $1.5 million in funding from the Foundation, volunteer assistance from Team Depot and technical assistance from Habitat for Humanity International, the goal of Repair Corps is to provide Habitat affiliates across the U.S. 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 of 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 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.
• 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.

Repair Corps grants will pay for home repairs ranging 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 also will be available.

Monday’s announcement was the third weekly grant announcement during The Home Depot Foundation’s “Celebration of Service” campaign to honor U.S. military veterans. Each Monday between Sept. 11 and Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the Foundation is announcing approximately $1 million in grants to veterans’ initiatives for a total of $9.1 million by Veterans Day. The Foundation’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity International is part of the $30 million pledge to help military veterans by repairing and renovating their homes and the facilities they use.