Mercy Housing receives $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation to support national Environmental Stewardship Initiative

The grant will be used to make existing affordable housing properties energy efficient and create standards for future developments

07.06.2009 – DENVER
Mercy Housing is launching a nationwide effort to improve the use of energy at its existing affordable housing properties and require developers to use a variety of “green” design elements in all future properties, thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation.

The award from The Home Depot Foundation will supplement government and other philanthropic funding to help Mercy Housing launch a nationwide Energy Stewardship Initiative. Efforts include conducting 1,300 energy audits and implementing a sustainable development policy to be used throughout Mercy Housing’s 14 local offices and 36,900 affordable homes. Mercy Housing has 237 properties nationwide and serves more than 124,000 low- to moderate-income people, including families, seniors and people with special needs on any given day.

“Mercy Housing believes that sustainably built affordable housing better serves our residents by creating healthier environments and reducing energy costs,” said Sister Lillian Murphy, RSM, Mercy Housing CEO. “During challenging economic times, it is even more crucial that Mercy Housing brings sustainable development to scale to meet the growing need for stable, vibrant and healthy affordable housing. We are so excited to have The Home Depot Foundation support us in this important initiative.”

Many studies have shown that dilapidated housing is associated with exposure to lead and asthma triggers, such as mold, moisture, dust mites and rodents. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to carpet, glues and varnishes with volatile organic compounds can result in several health problems from eye, nose and throat irritation to liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.

High energy costs also greatly affect low-income households. The 2005 National Energy Assistance Survey found that as a result of high energy costs, 47 percent of households receiving federal home energy assistance went without medical care, 25 percent failed to pay their rent or mortgage, and 20 percent went without food for at least one day over a five-year period.

“We support the construction of homes for families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Mercy Housing on its Environmental Stewardship Initiative,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “This initiative will create additional opportunities for thousands of families of modest means to experience the economic and health benefits of green building practices. We believe that the impact of this program will be far-reaching and will add to the long-term success of families and communities across the country.”

Over the next year, Mercy Housing will conduct energy audits to determine a baseline for measuring future green retrofit efforts. Properties will also conduct self-assessments to identify specific upgrades needed to reduce energy consumption.

Mercy Housing developers and construction management staff will create national guidelines for future retrofit and new development efforts. Those guidelines may include the installation of ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and recycled/recyclable carpet; the use of locally manufactured materials, programmable thermostats, and natural ventilation and fans instead of air conditioning; and the creation of rainwater catchment systems and water-efficient, low-maintenance landscaping. The guidelines will mesh with national and local certifications and standards.

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 affordable homes for working families that are healthy to live in and affordable to own. To make homes healthy and affordable, the Foundation encourages developers to incorporate responsible design and use durable and quality materials to ensure that homes are more energy and water efficient, have good indoor air quality, and provide a safe and healthy space to live. Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted $120 million to nonprofit organizations and supported the development of more than 65,000 affordable, healthy homes. For more information, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.

About Mercy Housing
Mercy Housing, a national not-for-profit affordable housing organization headquartered in Denver, has a presence in 41 states, serves more than 124,000 people on any given day and has participated in the development, financing or operation of more than 36,900 homes. About 75 percent of Mercy Housing’s portfolio is rental units, and the remaining 25 percent is homeownership. Mercy Housing serves families, seniors and people with special needs (formerly homeless, people with HIV/AIDS and the developmentally disabled). For more information about Mercy Housing, please visit www.mercyhousing.org.

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News Facts

The $100,000 award from The Home Depot Foundation will supplement government and other philanthropic funding to help Mercy Housing launch a nationwide Energy Stewardship Initiative.
Efforts include conducting 1,300 energy audits and implementing a sustainable development policy to be used throughout Mercy Housingâ€™s 14 local offices and 35,700 affordable homes.
Mercy Housing has 237 properties nationwide and serves more than 124,000 low- to moderate-income people, including families, seniors and people with special needs on any given day.