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Photo by Chris Gaythen/Getty Images 2008 FOUNDATION Total giving in cash Supported housing Planted or restored Awarded more and in-kind exceeded development more than 200,000 than $1.2 million to $50 million to more organizations with community trees support community than 5,100 nonprofit grants of $15.5 million, through grants volunteer projects organizations which produced and totaling $2.6 million through the Housing preserved 14,734 Impact Grant program affordable housing units, built responsibly THE importance OF HOMES At The Home Depot Foundation, we understand that affordable, healthy homes are essential to strong families, thriving neighborhoods and sustainable cities. The stability provided by living in a home that is affordable over the long-term positively impacts the family’s financial status, health and overall quality of life. And the benefits don’t stop there – they extend throughout the community and the economy. Home is where “ During the last two years, the Foundation has helped build or renovate more than 27,000 homes for families across the country. While the issues “one starts from. around the increasing number of mortgage defaults and foreclosures and the rippling effect on entire cities and regions have attracted much T.S. ELIOT attention in this time, we have partnered with nonprofit organizations and local leaders to help families move into homes that they can afford to live in for years to come. This means that the mortgage or rent is manageable, but that’s just the beginning. We also work to ensure that the home is efficient so utility bills are affordable; that the location is close to schools, stores and jobs so transportation costs are low and commutes are short; and that the community includes parks and trees so residents can enjoy healthy, safe places outdoors. Taking this comprehensive view of what makes a home affordable creates an impact that extends far beyond the residents themselves. While vacant and dilapidated houses destroy the worth of entire neighborhoods, when people take pride in their homes and maintain them, property values improve. Over time, residents become more involved in their neighborhoods, schools and nonprofit organizations, creating stronger, more vibrant communities and reducing crime. Something as simple as a family planting a tree in their front yard demonstrates an investment in their community and a commitment to its future. The results of the initiatives outlined in this report demonstrate clearly that a stable home that is healthy and affordable can be the starting point of long-term success for an individual, a family or an entire city. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Matched more Donated $9.1 million Created the Partners Built 59 KaBOOM! than $5.1 million in in products from 815 in Sustainability playgrounds across charitable contributions Home Depot stores Building program with the U.S., Canada and made by The Home to nonprofit partners, Habitat for Humanity Mexico and supported Depot associates resulting in the International, which 100 KaBOOM! blitz will produce at least diversion of 3,500 refurbishment projects 5,000 Habitat homes tons of products over the next five from landfills years that will attain an Energy Star Plus or higher green building standard 1 visionary our 10-year pledge: AWARD our 2-year PROGRESS: Honoring S. Richard Fedrizzi HOMEOWNERSHIP LARGE CITY In 2008, The Home Depot Foundation RUNNER-UP SECOND RUNNER-UP Kulshan Community Land Trust City of Seattle, WA presented S. Richard Fedrizzi, president, Bellingham, WA Cascade Land Conservancy CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with its second annual The Home Depot Foundation Visionary Award for Outstanding Leadership in Affordable Housing Built Responsibly. Rick was selected for his efforts to ensure that buildings of all types, including affordable homes, are being built to the LEED standard. RENTAL HONORABLE MENTION Capital Hill Housing Seattle, WA LARGE CITY WINNER Photo by Ralph Alswang City of Sacramento, CA Sacramento Tree Foundationn Through Rick’s leadership, the USGBC has tripled its membership, broadened its influence, and cemented its role as a leadership voice in the global sustainability movement. The organization is now the nation’s leading nonprofit working to advance RENTAL the sustainable design, construction, and RUNNER-UP operations of buildings and communities. Community HousingWorks San Diego, CA “The Home Depot has been a visionary leader and an outstanding partner in promoting environmentally healthy communities for many years,” said Fedrizzi. “It is an honor to be recognized by such a strong and committed advocate for environmental sustainability.” 2 $400 million • 100,000 homes • 3 million trees our 2-year PROGRESS: $90 MILLION • 27,000 homes • 500,000 trees HOMEOWNERSHIP SMALL CITY WINNER RUNNER-UP Madison Area Community Land Trust City of Carmel, IN Madison, WI RENTAL Citizens For Greenspace WINNER Mercy Housing Lakefront Chicago, IL SMALL CITY WINNER City of Camden, NJ New Jersey Tree Foundation LARGE CITY RUNNER-UP City of Atlanta, GA Trees Atlanta AwArds OF EXcellence 2008 Location of project that received Location of project that received Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Award of Excellence for Community Trees 3 Since we moved here, we’ve all “been so much healthier. Every day, I think, ‘Thank you,“ thank you, thank you.’ Living here has been so positive for my family. NICKI ALHAGI, OLESON WOODS RESIDENT building A LIFE: IT STARTS WITH A home The Alhagi family was struggling to make ends meet in the old house they rented outside Portland, Ore. Like many young families, Nicki Alhagi and her husband had a hard time paying for rent, diapers for their two daughters and the heating bill. On top of that, she frequently missed work because the moldy air in the damp home caused the girls to suffer with asthma, which required repeated, costly trips to the doctor. Though the Alhagis looked for a healthier, safer place to live, nothing was affordable, even with their two incomes. When the Alhagis heard about Oleson Woods, an apartment development built by Community Partners for Affordable Housing, they felt that they would finally be able to make it. “This was a true godsend,” Alhagi says of discovering Oleson Woods, the green, affordable community developed with a grant from The Home Depot Foundation. “Since we moved here, we’ve all been so much healthier. Every day, I think, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’ Living here has been so positive for my family.” The apartments offer families with moderate incomes attractive townhomes that are close to stores, public transit, schools and jobs. The units incorporate energy-efficient lighting, appliances and heating systems; extra insulation; and paint and cabinets that do not put harmful gases into the air. In addition to these features that make the homes more affordable, the complex includes a community center where neighbors can gather and a playground and walking trails through adjacent woods where residents can enjoy the outdoors. 4 Photos by Harry Connolly 5 Photo by Flip Chalfant 6 building RESPONSIBLY: CREATING LONG-TERM success The major motivation for the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in saint louis, mo. is to build safe, decent and affordable homes that its homeowners can own for a lifetime. To achieve this goal, Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis has sought to reduce utility costs, create a healthy indoor environment and incorporate durable materials that fit into the overall design of the house. By focusing its efforts on these elements, this Habitat affiliate builds homes that families can truly afford and enjoy over the long term. When James and Brenda Grant began searching for a home for their family, they realized that a Habitat home would meet their needs and would provide a healthy home where they could afford to raise The Grants’ energy costs are their son. The home the Grants purchased was 40 percent lower and their built as part of the Partners in Sustainable Building water use is 50 percent lower program created by The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International. Through the than they would be in a program, Habitat affiliates in the United States and standard house. Mexico can receive funding and resources to assist in making their homes more energy efficient and sustainable. This will enable affiliates to build at least 5,000 homes according to nationally recognized green building standards. The Partners in Sustainable Building program also provides in-person learning opportunities, regional training scholarships and online resources. Because of the funding Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis received from the Partners in Sustainable Building program, the Grants’ home is very efficient, using less electricity and water; very durable, meaning lower maintenance expenses; and provides a healthy indoor environment. All of this adds up to a home that will be comfortable for the Grants — and their checkbook — for many years to come. To explain what their house has meant to the Grant family, James says simply, “What Habitat has done for us is a miracle.” 7 PUTTING PRODUCT TO WORK IN OUR COMMUNITIES Early in 2008, The Home Depot Foundation, The Home Depot stores and Gifts In Kind International launched a groundbreaking product donation program called “Framing Hope.” During the year, The Home Depot stores donated over $9.1 million in merchandise to local nonprofits, which incorporate the products in their efforts to build and maintain homes in their communities. Because of Framing Hope, these clearance products and display samples are being put to use in homes of moderate-income families rather than being discarded. In fact, in the Photo by Maria Durana program’s first year, over 3,500 tons of products have been diverted from landfills. As the executive director of one of the TAKING THE NEXT STEP: participating nonprofits in Albuquerque said, “Through this opportunity… [we] have been he keys to a house or apartment are handed over, the able to provide plumbing and electrical T furniture is in place and the moving boxes are empty, but we fixtures, rugs, building materials, tools and know the work of establishing a stable home has just begun.

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