The Home Depot Canada Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Canada commit to
creating sustainable homes

TORONTO , Oct. 7 /CNW/ - The Home Depot(R) Canada Foundation, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada , today kicked-off the launch of its Sustainable Housing Grant Program, an initiative that will help fuel Habitat's existing National Sustainable Build Program by providing additional funding for environmentally sustainable builds that adhere to recognized sustainable standards or include sustainable building techniques and materials. The Home Depot Canada Foundation has donated over $930,000 to the Program that will be put towards "green" Habitat builds across the country in an effort to provide energy and cost efficient homes for Canadian families who often have to make a choice between life's necessities, such as housing and food. In addition to monetary funding, Team Depot, The Home Depot's volunteer force of associates, will also provide volunteer hours on each build supported by the Program.

Over the last three years, more than 35 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country have been awarded grants for their sustainable builds by The Home Depot Canada . With new roofs over their heads, Habitat families have safe and healthy living conditions which foster greater potential for the success of all family members in school and the workplace. The low, long-term costs of maintaining sustainable homes increase the potential for Habitat to break the poverty cycle.

"The Home Depot Canada Foundation is a charitable organization committed to supporting affordable, sustainable housing and vibrant, environmentally responsible communities for Canadians," said Gino DiGioacchino, chair of The Home Depot Canada Foundation. "By partnering with Habitat for Humanity Canada and developing the Sustainable Housing Grant Program, we can ensure that affordable, sustainable homes are being built for Canadian families in need."

The Home Depot Canada Foundation Sustainable Housing Grant Program is the perfect complement to Habitat's National Sustainable Build Program, which encourages affiliates to use environmentally sustainable practices in their builds by providing guidelines and funding. Through The Home Depot Canada Foundation Sustainable Housing Grant Program, Habitat affiliates are invited to apply for grants to support their sustainable builds.

"At Habitat for Humanity Canada , we help families build and purchase homes that maximize health, affordability and environmental sustainability," said Stewart Hardacre , president and COO of Habitat for Humanity Canada . "Now, thanks to The Home Depot Canada Foundation Sustainable Housing Grant Program, we can increase the number of sustainable builds across the country, which means more families will spend less on heating and cooling bills and more on life's other necessities."

Since 1996, The Home Depot Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada have worked together to achieve their shared vision of helping Canadians to improve their quality of life with charitable initiatives that extend a helping hand-up, not a hand-out. For over 13 years, The Home Depot Canada has been the charity's largest donor providing home ownership opportunities to over 200 families. In 2008 alone, The Home Depot associates contributed over 7,000 volunteer hours on Habitat builds across Canada . To strengthen this relationship, The Home Depot Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada are now working together to be leaders in environmentally responsible building practices.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada:

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The mission of the organization is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. Habitat for Humanity Canada was founded in 1985, consists of over 50,000 volunteers and 72 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, and is a member of Habitat for Humanity International which spans 93 countries, has built over 300,000 homes, and is now building a new home every 10 minutes.

About The Home Depot Canada Foundation:

Established in 2008, The Home Depot Canada Foundation believes that good neighbours make great neighbourhoods. The Foundation brings together volunteerism, do-it-yourself expertise, fundraising, product donations and monetary grants to develop affordable, sustainable housing and create vibrant, environmentally responsible communities for Canadians. Team Depot directly supports The Home Depot Canada Foundation's mission to its share skills, knowledge and resources to develop sustainable homes and communities for Canadians. Team Depot associates use their know-how to complete meaningful community projects, resulting in a contribution of more than 60,000 hours of volunteer time each year. For more information, visit www.homedepot.ca/foundation.

For further information: Josie Haynes, Optimum Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]