IRVINE, CA (November 20, 2007) — HomeAid Orange County, John Laing Homes, the Orange County Rescue Mission and the City of Buena Park will collectively host a Wall Raising Ceremony for Hope Family Housing-Buena Park on Thursday, November 29, 2007 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Partnership leaders, Steve Kabel, Dave Prolo and Eric Weinstein from John Laing Homes along with Jim Palmer, Orange County Rescue Mission, Scott Larson, HomeAid Orange County and Rick Warsinski, City of Buena Park will preside over this much-anticipated event; the next milestone in the development’s construction process.

“John Laing Homes has always believed that building homes and communities is an honorable profession. We are excited to be in a partnership with these outstanding leaders of our community. Together we will help to provide a solid foundation upon which the future residents of Hope Family Housing can move out of the cycle of homelessness to independent self-sufficient lives,” says Dave Prolo, president, John Laing Homes’ South Coast Division.

The estimated $5.4 million project has received financial support of $1.3 million from the Children and Families Commission of Orange County and $1 million from the Federal Home Loan Banks through Bank of America. In addition, over 80 consultants, suppliers and specialty contractors have donated their services or have made in-kind contributions.

Upon completion Hope Family Housing – Buena Park will be a 17-townhome community which will ultimately provide long-term housing with supportive assistance to homeless families, many transitioning from motels throughout the county.

The row townhome design concept, developed by architect, Bassenian/Lagoni was created to provide two separate areas each with a village green complete with a play area and landscaped grounds. In addition to the community green space, the townhome community will include a multi-purpose room. Each 900 – 1,100 square feet unit will include a kitchen, dining room, two or three bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry, private courtyard and a garage. The exteriors have been fashioned after the city’s historic roots offering a compatible aesthetic addition to the neighborhood.

Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) will manage Hope Family Housing’s day-to-day operations, providing an environment of independent living with supportive services. Residents will participate in a two-year program that includes job training, counseling and other services including life skills training that will assist them with their ultimate goal – independent living. As part of the Hope Family Housing program residents will be required to pay a monthly sliding scale rent to cover operational costs, with an approximate range of $400 to $1,020 per month. Many of these OCRM services will be delivered via its “Strong Beginnings” mobile outreach program that offers medical services, food, and job training to the residents.

About HomeAid Orange County

HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between services providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 40 developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org