The Home Depot Foundation announced a $10 million investment to support aging veterans by expanding access to affordable and stable housing, aiming to help veterans stay in their homes and reduce homelessness. This funding is part of the Foundation’s Operation Surprise initiative, which provides critical support to veterans facing housing insecurity and accessibility challenges.
The funds will be directed toward initiatives that address the urgent housing needs of veterans as they age. Projects include affordable housing construction, critical home repairs, mortgage assistance, and home adaptations. Key partners, including U.S.VETS, Operation Homefront, and the Gary Sinise Foundation, will receive support for targeted projects: more than 230 affordable housing units, 125 critical home repairs, and 400 accessibility modifications will be completed in the coming year. Additionally, seven smart homes will be constructed for veterans with service-related disabilities.
This commitment follows recent projections from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which estimates a 535 percent increase in veterans aged 85 and older who will need care over the next 20 years. Homelessness among individuals 65 and older is expected to peak by 2030, with veterans particularly vulnerable to housing instability.
“As veterans age, small accessibility modifications can mean the difference between remaining in their own homes versus being displaced,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “With this new $10 million investment, The Home Depot Foundation is proud to further our support of our nonprofit partners improving veteran housing across the country, helping veterans safely maintain their independence for years to come.”
Alongside its financial commitment, The Home Depot Foundation’s volunteer force, Team Depot, will undertake service projects nationwide throughout November to make veterans’ homes safer and more accessible.
The Foundation also renewed its broader commitment to veteran support, announcing plans to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030. This expansion builds on its milestone of $500 million in veteran-focused investments since 2011, underscoring its dedication to supporting those who served.
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B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist with 25-years experience in journalism. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is the publisher of The Georgia Sun and a fifth-generation Georgian.
