BUENA PARK, CA (February 7, 2007) — HomeAid Orange County and Hope Family Housing Builder Captain, John Laing Homes recently hosted an appreciation luncheon held at Angel Stadium's Diamond Club. The event was organized to recognize individuals and companies responsible for the design and approval process of Hope Family Housing - Buena Park, HomeAid Orange County's newest homeless shelter development slated to break ground in the spring of 2007.

More than 100 men and women involved in the predevelopment process were on hand to receive Certificates of Appreciation for their contributions to HomeAid Orange County's current shelter development. Their collective in-kind donations represent over $500,000 in consulting fees.

Those honored at the luncheon included; Joe Blumendrantz, Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Borthwick Guy Bettenhausen, Inc., City of Buena Park, CTG Energetics, Inc., Douglas Bender and Associates, First American Title Company, La Jolla Pacific, LGC Geotechnical Companies, Inc., Mestre Greve Associates, The Moote Group, OMB Electrical Engineers, Inc., Residential Fire Systems, RGI Utility Consultants, Sun Coast Post Tension, TAD Engineering, TRG Land, Inc., and Wright Engineers.

When completed Hope Family Housing-Buena Park will provide housing for transitionally homeless families, most will transition from motels and other Orange County Rescue Mission facilities throughout the county. The Orange County Rescue Mission is the care provider responsible for facilitating the Hope Family Housing program elements and is also partnering with HomeAid Orange County as the care provider for the Village of Hope, HomeAid's largest shelter development to date.

As part of the Hope Family Housing program residents will be required to pay a monthly sliding scale rent with an approximate range of $400 to $1,020 per month.

This rent will go to cover operational costs, and will be required of all tenants participating in a variety of programs including training in financial, parenting, educational, relational and vocational disciplines. An on-site housing manager will provide accountability, safety oversight and program coordination.

Consisting of 16 apartments and one manager's unit, each apartment will have a kitchen, dining room, two or three bedrooms, bathroom, and laundry room. There will also be a common play area and 1,500 square-foot common meeting and computer room for community use.

According to a recent article, most Buena Park neighbors say they're glad the city is taking steps to help the homeless, which according to the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force, number over 28,000 countywide. Additionally, groups dedicated to helping the homeless say they welcome the shelter, which would help ease the significant gap between available beds and the growing numbers of homeless.

This project represents shelter number 41 for HomeAid Orange County established in 1989 by the Building Industry Association to serve as the industry's philanthropic arm. HomeAid is charged with the mission of building and renovating shelters for homeless individuals and families, and is successful in providing shelter for an average of more than 6,000 men, women and children annually.

In addition to providing shelter for homeless families like those that will be served through Hope Family Housing-Buena Park, HomeAid Orange County also provides shelter for women in crisis pregnancy; abused children; victims of domestic violence; homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS; the mentally challenged; homeless youth; and those families and individuals that find themselves homeless as a result of job loss or catastrophic illness.

Those interested in becoming involved in this project or need more information about HomeAid Orange County may call (949) 553-9510 or visit www.homeaidoc.org.