Home Depot Awards Millions for Sustainable Improvements
The Home Depot Foundation recently announced $3.7 million in grants to “build healthy, affordable homes for working families, create safe community play spaces for children, and assist cities in their efforts to develop sustainable communities.”  

The grants, which were awarded to a variety of local and national organizations, will help pay for the construction of 1,686 homes for low- to moderate-income families, build 31 playgrounds, and landscape 48 acres in urban areas. Recipients include Cleveland Housing Network, Mercy Lakefront Housing in Chicago, and the National League of Cities. 

The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to creating healthy, affordable homes as the cornerstone of sustainable communities. In 2007, the foundation made a 10-year pledge to provide $400 million to build or refurbish 100,000 affordable, healthy homes and plant or restore 3 million community trees.  

According Kelly Caffarelli, “Creating healthy, sustainable communities is the cornerstone of our mission.” 

The deadlines for the second cycle of 2010 funding are July 1 for a letter of inquiry and September 15 for a full project description.  Proposals that result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units for low- to moderate-income families and incorporate green design elements will receive preference. Visit the foundation’s website for more information on the grant process.