Investing $50 Million To Prevent And End Youth Homelessness

May 1, 2019

The Home Depot Canada Foundation Increases Commitment To Help Build Brighter Futures

(OTTAWA, May 1, 2019) – After meeting it’s $20 million pledge in 2018, The Home Depot Canada Foundation announced today it’s expanding its commitment to prevent and end youth homelessness to $50 million over the next three years.

As one of the most urgent social issues in Canada, research indicates that early prevention is critical to breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness later in life. This expanded commitment will enable The Foundation to better understand the causes and conditions of homelessness through research, involve more young people with lived experience in the development of program planning, support more life-skills training and improve housing options for more than 450 community partners across the country.

“Over the last five years, we have learned that youth homelessness is an incredibly complex issue. As one of the fastest-growing segments of the homeless population in Canada, we know that many young people first experience homelessness in their early teens; we don’t think that’s right,” said Pam O’Rourke, Chair of the Board, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and Vice President, Merchandising, The Home Depot Canada. “By working with our sector partners and youth directly impacted, we can better understand the issues they face, make the right investments in the right places and truly make an impact.”

"The Home Depot Canada Foundation is such an important partner in our national effort to prevent and end youth homelessness,” said Melanie Redman, President and CEO, A Way Home Canada. “The strategic investments they make in communities across Canada help to ensure that young people and their families have the supports they need to thrive."

In 2013 The Home Depot Canada Foundation announced a $10 million, three-year commitment to help prevent and end youth homelessness. In 2016, this commitment doubled from $10 million to $20 million by 2018. With today’s $30 million commitment, The Foundation will have invested $50 million to support this important cause by 2022.

About The Home Depot Canada Foundation:

The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to putting an end to youth homelessness in Canada. On any given night, more than 6,000 young people are without a place to call home, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiative, the Foundation has pledged $50 million by 2022 to support renovation and repair projects and programs that provide vulnerable youth with access to safe, stable housing and support services. For more information, please visit: www.orangedoorproject.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Erika Botond
The Home Depot Canada
647-222-3634
Erika_botond@homedepot.com