Home Depot Foundation looks to battle veteran homelessness
The Home Depot Foundation is investment of an additional $6.4 million to combat veteran homelessness and support veteran housing initiatives across the nation.
In total, the recent grants will impact nearly 4,000 veterans at risk of homelessness and provide more than 600 units of housing across the United States.
"Supporting veteran causes is core to our mission at The Home Depot Foundation,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director, The Home Depot Foundation.
Gerber said statistics from the Department of Housing and Urban Development point to approximately 37,000 veterans experiencing homelessness on any given night. “This is unacceptable for anyone, especially for those who have dedicated years of their lives to serving this country. We’re focused on supporting and working with partners nationwide to bring an end to veteran homelessness.”
The foundation is committing $375,000 to create additional housing for those experiencing and at-risk of homelessness in Baltimore in partnership with Project PLASE (People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment) and Beacon Communities LLC.
The funding will support the renovation of their Beacon House Square (BHS), repurposing and restoring a 65,000-square-foot school into 90 residential units, 56 of which will be permanent, one bed-room apartments for formerly homeless veterans and funded by the foundation. The restored BHS will include a new communal gathering and dining space, an expanded commercial-grade kitchen, a nurse’s station and 10 new offices for support services.
This is the latest in a series of recent moves made by The Home Depot Foundation to assist veterans in need.
“This development will significantly increase permanent housing options for homeless veterans in Baltimore and will help to address major needs we’ve identified in our veteran-serving programs,” said Mary Slicher, executive director of Project PLASE. “We are delighted that The Home Depot Foundation has pledged their financial support to make this project possible.”
To date, The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than $375 million in veteran causes, including making critical home repairs for combat-wounded veterans, providing financial assistance and helping senior veterans age independently in their own homes.
Home Depot Foundation is also providing $325,000 toward the construction of a new permanent housing facility in Los Angeles for seniors and veterans experiencing homelessness, in partnership with the Weingart Center Association.
The facility will include 51 units restricted to seniors experiencing homelessness, with 28 units reserved for veterans. The facility is projected to open to its first residents in October 2022.
“Seniors and veterans face tremendous hurdles when experiencing homelessness,” said Senator Kevin Murray, president and CEO of the Weingart Center Association. “We are thankful The Home Depot Foundation recognizes the importance of providing comfort and support to this unique demographic.”
Also in Los Angels, the foundation has partnered with Step Up through a commitment of $400,000 for 136 permanent housing units and critical support services for veterans experiencing homelessness in the city.
The funds will enable Step Up to renovate a former motel to become the area’s newest veteran housing facility, where clients will have access to counseling, treatment, and other services vital to help veterans transition to civilian life. The facility is projected to open to its first residents in September.
“Our properties provide a home for veterans experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health conditions by supporting them with not only a roof over their heads, but also the right tools and resources needed to get back on their feet,” said Tod Lipka, president and CEO of Step Up.
In Riverside, Calif., the foundation has granted $300,000 to U.S.VETS-Inland Empire to support the construction of a new housing facility that will serve 60 homeless and at-risk veterans. Additionally, $300,000 is being provided for housing and access to critical supportive services for more than 180 homeless and at-risk veterans in Maricopa County, Ariz. in partnership with U.S.VETS.
“We’re committed to ensuring every veteran in Maricopa County, the state, and the country has access to a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Michelle Jameson, executive director of U.S.VETS – Phoenix. “Through our long-standing partnership with The Home Depot Foundation and this new facility, we’ll be able to get closer to achieving our goal of ending veteran homelessness in Phoenix.”
Home Depot has is also investing more than $135,000 to turn COVID-19 shielding shelters into permanent housing for U.S. military veterans in the Navajo Nation.
In partnership with the nonprofit CORE (Community Organized Relief Efforts), the Foundation will construct 25 shielding structures to enable electricity and other amenities to provide permanent housing solutions for veterans and their families.
The shelters were originally constructed by CORE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. The Home Depot Foundation and CORE will retrofit the shelters with electricity and provision them with hot plates, blinds, space heaters, and smoke and Co2 alarms to provide a safe, comfortable place that veterans can call home.
“With the support from The Home Depot Foundation, we’re able to turn these temporary dwellings into sustainable housing solutions for the veterans on the Navajo Nation who selflessly served in the military,” said Laura Cansicio, vice president of partnerships and development at CORE.