The need to house Orange County homeless families is great. According to estimates provided by social service authorities, in any given month 35,000 Orange County residents are at risk of going to bed hungry, many without shelter. With current unemployment rates and the rising costs of affordable housing homeless, care providers face a daunting task.

Some are homeless because they've lost their jobs. But joblessness isn't always the problem. Many who work full time don't earn enough to provide shelter, food and other family necessities. The hourly wage required for a one-bedroom apartment in Orange County is $17.96. Many area residents don't come close to earning that amount, and find themselves unable to secure or maintain a place to live. In an effort to meet that need the building Industry Association's charitable outreach, HomeAid Orange County continues to grow its shelter development program. Current projects - ranging from a small refurbishing task to the largest HomeAid undertaking to date- are scattered throughout the county and when completed will provide an additional 259 beds to the current inventory. Following are the shelter projects in various stages of planning and construction:

FULLERTON INTERFAITH'S NEW VISTA LED BY BROOKFIELD HOMES

Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Shelter's (FIES) New Vista shelter is now in the fourth stage of the construction process. Working in partnership with Lind & Associates Architecture; iba Design; Lim Chang Rohling Associates, Inc.; and ima + design; the Brookfield Homes building team is moving forward with the construction of a 1,900-square foot home located in Fullerton. Designed to complement the existing Fullerton site, the new construction will include a large kitchen, a lounge, four-car enclosed garage and an enclosed porch. This project will ultimately serve homeless families and is scheduled for dedication in the summer of 2005.

Under the guidance of Brian Geis, development director Southland Business Group, Brookfield Homes reached out to the following trade partners who contributed to the shelter development:

Aliso Air American Home Entertainment Andersen Windows Bayside Concrete BCI Framing and Drywall Capital Drywall Coastal Concrete Davey Roofing Del Mar Masonry

Eurodesign Cabinets FYDAQ Hardwood Creations Hunsaker & Associates ima + design John Ginger Masonry Lawson Geotechnical Consulting Pacific Window Corporation Plumbing Concepts

Preferred Coatings Quality Structures RBF Consulting RC Wendt Painting Residential Design Services RLS Plastering Rogers Grading SB Electric Urban Concrete

HomeAid Board Project Liaison, Brian Geis, Brookfield Homes

SAN MIGUEL RESIDENCE SLATED FOR COMPLETION EARLY IN 2005

Both buildings at San Miguel Residence continue to take shape. The much awaited San Miguel Residence will provide a minimum of 16 beds to house a mix of homeless individuals and families, the majority of which will come from one of Mercy House's transitional programs including Joseph House for homeless men; Emmanuel House serving adults living with HIV/AIDS; and Regina House for homeless women and children. The two homes - the Greystone Spanish style 5-unit apartment building; and the Lennar Craftsman style single-family residence - that comprise San Miguel are slated for dedication early in 2005.

	HomeAid Board Project Liaison, Douglas Woodward Lennar, South Coast Homebuilding

DESIGN MOVES FORWARD AT HOPE FAMILY HOUSING-BUENA PARK

Newport Beach-based, Bassenian/Lagoni Architects is completing the design development for Hope Family Housing - Buena Park, a one-acre property that will ultimately provide 16-18 units of long-term transitional housing for homeless families, many of whom will transition from low-income motels. When completed, the facility operations will be managed by the Orange County Rescue Mission whose success rate is ten times the national average, with 85% of their program graduates becoming self-sufficient productive members of society.

HomeAid is currently seeking a Builder Captain(s) for this $2.3 million dollar enterprise expected to break ground early in 2005. Any interested builders may contact Scott Larson at HomeAid Orange County.

HomeAid Board Project Liaison, Lee Rogaliner, Bassenian/Lagoni

WILLIAM LYON HOMES JOINS VILLAGE OF HOPE BUILDER TEAM

HomeAid Orange County's $24 million shelter development venture, Village of Hope located on 5.1-acres on the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, is kicking into high gear with the addition of its newest Builder Captain partner, William Lyon Homes. William Lyon Homes joins Oltmans Construction, John Laing Homes and Lennar Communities as one of the project team leaders and will be providing underwriting costs for tenant improvement in the medical center and education wing.

Designed by Gensler and Axcess Architects, The Village of Hope comprised of two barracks and new construction, is a 130,000 square-foot facility offering shelter for homeless Orange County families. The top floor renovation of the existing barracks will provide living quarters for homeless men, women and children in configurations of single and family spaces, while the lower floors will accommodate medical offices, dental offices and vocational training. "Building B," consisting of 40,000 square feet, will house a kitchen; dining areas; a donation intake warehouse; and will provide support office space designed to serve as the nucleus for the site. "Building A" is an 8,000 square-foot chapel/auditorium. Located on Red Hill near Barranca Street, The Village of Hope to be operated by the Orange County Rescue Mission, and is slated for completion in the summer of 2005.

STANDARD PACIFIC HOMES MAKES CHANGES AT FAMILIES FORWARD

Under the leadership of customer service manager, Rick Mc Kenrick, along with Paul Kosareff, customer care field manager, the Standard Pacific Homes' customer service team took to the task of refurbishing a Families Forward Irvine condominium unit providing temporary shelter for homeless clients who will live there as they work toward reentering mainstream society.

The Standard Pacific Homes charity recipient, Families Forward, is an Orange County-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing homeless families with shelter, education, counseling and support services; the nonprofit's Farm House shelter is the first project ever developed by HomeAid Orange County over 15 years ago.