Featured Corporate Volunteer Program: Home Depot Foundation & Habitat for Humanity are Partners in Sustainability
The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002. It is dedicated to building healthy homes that families can afford to own. The Foundation encourages home developers to use durable, sustainable materials, to make sure the homes are energy and water efficient, and have good indoor air quality.
Since it was founded, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $120 million to nonprofit organizations—and has supported the development of more than 65,000 affordable, healthy homes.
Last year, The Home Depot Foundation partnered with Habitat for Humanity International in an initiative called Partners in Sustainable Living. Through this initiative, thirty Habitat affiliates built more than 260 green homes—meeting Energy Star or other green building standards.
The pilot program proved that the upfront costs of building to green standards, about $2,000 extra for the pilot program houses, will be recouped through energy bill savings. Reports on the new homes show energy savings of between 15 and 30 percent already!
It makes sense that an organization that builds affordable housing for those in need would also want the homes’ energy bills to be as low as possible—it’s better for the homeowners and for the planet.
This week, The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International announced that the Partners in Sustainable Living initiative will be expanded nationally. More than 120 Habitat affiliates in 45 states have been selected to participate this year. $30 million in funding and resources over five years will help build 5,000 homes that meet Energy Star or other recognized green standards.
The affiliates will be granted $3,000 for each home built to Energy Star standards, and up to $5,000 for each home built to a higher green standard. By the end of 2010, nearly 1,500 sustainable homes will be built.
According to Kelly Caffarelli, president of the Foundation, “The Home Depot Foundation believes green building techniques are not a luxury—they aren’t exotic or expensive.” By helping more people live in green homes, The Home Depot Foundation is demonstrating a commitment to the communities in which they do business and to the environment we all share.
Tags: Corporate Social Responsibility, Energy Star, Green Building, Habitat for Humanity International, Home Depot, Partners in Sustainability, The Home Depot Foundation