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Habitat for Humanity International News

The Home Depot Foundation to Frame More Than 45 Houses During Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project

ATLANTA, May 8 PRNewswire — Habitat for Humanity today announced The Home Depot Foundation as the premier sponsor of the Framing Frenzy, a week-long service effort to frame a total of 48 new homes as part of the 25th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project taking place in the Gulf Coast, May 11-16. The Home Depot Foundation has committed more than $600,000 in cash and gift-in-kind products to the Project in an effort to help build healthy, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.

As the premier sponsor of the Framing Frenzy, approximately 100 volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation and 20 of its vendor partners will work side-by-side with the local community to build the framing structures for the 48 new homes. These homes will be completed by Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast by the end of the year.

"As the premier sponsor of the 'Framing Frenzy,' The Home Depot Foundation has truly stepped up to help ensure the success of this historic 25th Carter Work Project. Their support more importantly is a measure of the commitment they have to families so severely impacted by the hurricanes of 2005," said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity. "We're grateful for their participation and are eager to work with The Home Depot family not only during this special framing event, but throughout the United States as we begin our new partnership to build decent, affordable, 'green' homes with families inside and outside the Gulf Coast region."

In addition to the framing project, Habitat will build or rehabilitate 60 additional homes in Biloxi, Pascagoula and Gulfport during the five-day event. Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, headquartered in Biloxi, Miss., is the host affiliate for the 2008 Project. A total of 18 participating Habitat affiliates throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas will also help repair or build more than 250 homes as part of the Carter Work Project by the end of the year.

"The Home Depot Foundation, The Home Depot and our associates and our supplier partners are energized to participate in the 25th annual Carter Work Project and to continue our efforts to support the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast," said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. "The Foundation specifically supports the construction of homes for families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own for the long-term and this project in addition to our national partnership with Habitat, is another step in advancing our mission and ensuring that the Gulf region is built back stronger than it was before the hurricanes of 2005."

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, The Home Depot and its suppliers immediately committed cash and materials to all phases of the relief, response and rebuilding efforts throughout the Gulf Coast. Since then, the company has continued to focus its efforts to rebuild the Gulf communities in a healthy and sustainable way in order for families to thrive in the future. In total, the company and the Foundation has contributed more than $15 million.

In addition to helping sponsor Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity and The Home Depot Foundation recently announced a national green building initiative, Partners in Sustainable Building. The first-ever national program of its kind will provide funding and resources to assist in making at least 5,000 homes built by Habitat affiliates more energy-efficient and sustainable according to nationally recognized green building standards. Sustainable homes cost less to operate and maintain and have less of an impact on the environment. The Home Depot Foundation is providing $30 million in financial and in-kind support, technical resources and training to establish a foundation of green building expertise that will impact Habitat builds for years to come.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002 to further the community building goals of The Home Depot. The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to building homes for working families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own. Through the incorporation of responsible design, homes built with durable materials are more energy and water efficient, have good indoor air quality, and provide a safe and healthy space to live. During its first five years, The Home Depot Foundation granted $70 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 50,000 affordable, healthy homes. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org .

25 Years of Building with the Carters

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have been helping Habitat for Humanity shine the spotlight on the need for affordable housing since 1984. That year, the Carters led a small team of Habitat volunteers to New York City to help renovate a six-story apartment building with 19 families in need of decent, affordable shelter. A quarter of a century later, that modest effort has grown into an internationally recognized annual event that has taken place in communities around the world.

About Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) serves Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. Since Katrina, HFHMGC has completed and started construction on 170 homes. HFHMGC believes every family deserves a 'place they can call home', and as such they are committed to providing the Mississippi Gulf Coast with clean, decent affordable and safe homes. While eradication of poverty housing is a challenge in all locations, it is particularly challenging in the light of hurricane Katrina. For more information on HFHMGC and how to volunteer or donate, go to www.hfhmgc.org .

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org .

SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation

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