The Home Depot Foundation is increasing its total commitment to veteran causes to $1 billion through 2032, expanding investments in programs designed to address veteran homelessness, housing insecurity, and home accessibility.
Since 2011, the foundation says it has invested more than $650 million in veteran causes and helped improve more than 70,000 veteran homes and facilities. Its latest commitment will combine established housing programs with efforts to test and scale new approaches to veteran housing.
“We believe every veteran deserves a safe place to call home,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “Our $1 billion commitment supports the partnerships and solutions needed to help more veterans move from uncertainty to long-term stability.”
Among the initiatives receiving support are programs designed to remove barriers to rental housing. The Landlords, Organizations, and Veterans Engagement (LOVE) Fund, with Open Doors Atlanta, and the U.S. VETS Master Lease Program aim to speed veteran housing placements by addressing costs such as security deposits and application fees or by leasing units directly from property owners.
The foundation is also investing in homelessness prevention and permanent supportive housing through organizations including Operation Homefront and Community Solutions. Additional funding will explore alternative housing approaches, including modular homes from Purple Heart Homes for senior veterans and veterans experiencing housing insecurity.
The announcement coincides with the foundation’s annual Celebration of Service. This fall, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, is expected to complete hundreds of projects benefiting veterans across all 50 states and three U.S. territories.
One recent project brought The Home Depot Foundation, Team Depot, and Purple Heart Homes together to construct a fully accessible modular home on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for James “Jim” Taylor, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who previously experienced homelessness. The home was subsequently transported to Virginia, where a dedication is planned.
