Washington – In October 2026, The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) unveiled a $1 billion pledge aimed at dramatically reducing veteran homelessness by 2032. The pledge builds on more than $650 million already invested since 2011 and reflects the foundation’s long‑standing focus on supporting those who have served the Constitution.
Why the pledge matters
Veterans make up 7% of the adult population but account for 5% of the homeless on any given night. While the overall veteran homelessness rate fell 56.1% between 2010 and 2025, the crisis remains acute, especially for Black veterans who represent 13% of the veteran population yet 30% of those experiencing homelessness.
Partnership with U.S. Veterans Initiative
THDF’s new effort will be delivered through a partnership with the United States Veterans Initiative (U.S.VETS), the nation’s largest nonprofit combatting veteran homelessness. Together they operate a master‑lease program that rents units from landlords, then sublets them to veterans who lack sufficient credit or funds. Since the pilot began in 2023, the collaboration has helped at least 5,000 veterans from Hawaii to the District of Columbia secure stable housing.
Personal stories illustrate impact
National Guard veteran Yolanda Caldwell and her three children were among those assisted. After years of housing instability, Caldwell received emergency shelter through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and later a six‑month rent subsidy from U.S.VETS. In spring 2026 she purchased a home in Southern California with a loan she could finally qualify for, and THDF contributed a $10,000 gift card for home improvements.
“Every morning I thank God and everyone who helped me,” Caldwell said. “People are hurting and struggling, and programs like this give them a lifeline.”
Leadership voices
Erin Izen, executive director of THDF, explained the foundation’s motivation: “We’re super passionate about ensuring every veteran has a safe place to call home. My husband’s service‑related lung cancer showed me how quickly a veteran can end up in a precarious situation.”
Darryl Vincent, CEO of U.S.VETS and a former Marine, added, “We can no longer say we stand for veterans without addressing the social inequities they face. The private sector must work with us to remove barriers and provide the support our heroes need.”
Looking ahead
The $1 billion commitment will fund the expansion of permanent‑housing units, rental assistance, and supportive services such as job training and mental‑health care. THDF and U.S.VETS aim to leverage the pledge to create a replicable model that other corporations and nonprofits can adopt, ultimately moving the nation closer to ending veteran homelessness.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
