Toyota continues to invest in our communities

For nearly 14 years, Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D) has invested in Habitat For Humanity of Huron Valley through volunteer and funding support, in turn helping us revitalize neighborhoods that needed it most. Since 2008, the automaker’s local research and development location have provided countless volunteer hours and funding to help us renovate at least one - if not two - homes a year for our Home Ownership Program.

In early 2020, TMNA R&D’s plans to support our growing programs was no different than previous years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the partnership from allowing volunteers to help on our build sites and community projects.

TMNA R&D quickly switched gears and supported our affiliate with $40,000 in funding to help us provide roughly 10 critical home repairs for seniors and veterans who already own their homes, through our Home Improvement Program, as well as continued to financially support our Home Ownership Program renovation work.

Thanks to TMNA R&D, we were able to help Washtenaw County homeowners with critical repairs, such as leaky roofs and unsafe bathroom amenities - despite the challenges of COVID-19.

U.S. Veteran Mr. Watkins and his wife have lived in Ypsilanti for more than seven years. The couple own their home, and have watched as the quality of their roof deteriorated over many years. The cost of a new roof can be detrimental, and the couple was worried about how they could afford to repair the leaky roof. They contacted us and applied for our Home Improvement Program’s priority home repair. Through the program, homeowners are able to make small monthly payments with no interest over the next several years to cover the cost of the repair.

“We had a leak in our roof and didn’t know how we were going to get it fixed,” said Mr. Watkins. “Habitat helped us so much! Thanks to Habitat, we were able to get assistance with the roof and can make affordable payments to repay our loan.”

Additionally this year, TMNA R&D donated a box truck and funded repairs and essential needs for us to utilize the truck for our renovation projects and repairs programs.

Since the beginning of our partnership, TMNA R&D has provided over $588,000 for our programs, which has supported nearly 20 of our Home Ownership Program renovation projects and families, many Home Improvement Projects and Community Development events. Prior to the pandemic, more than 200 employees would provide thousands of volunteer hours each year. Additionally, TMNA R&D has also provided representatives to serve on the Habitat Board of Directors and additional Habitat committees for the past eight years.

TMNA R&D’s investment in our community has made a tremendous local impact over the years, and continues to improve our programs together.