BUENA PARK, CA (April 4, 2007) — ‘Timing’ it is said, ‘is everything’ -  a  cliché’ that proved more than apropos in recounting the recent Hope Family Housing-Buena Park ground breaking where over 150 guests barely escaped hurricane-like winds that kicked into high gear only moments after the majority of the crowd had dispersed.

“There’s no place like home” offers yet another truism appropriately describing Hope Family Housing where homeless men, women and children will ultimately find - not only shelter and refuge -  but a true home where they may stay from six months to two years. Most residents will come from motel environments or Orange County Rescue Mission facilities and will receive supportive services with primary program focus centered on offering hope through an environment of independent living.   
Hope Family Housing Builder Captain John Laing Homes and its partners the City of Buena Park, the Orange County Rescue Mission and HomeAid Orange County hosted the much-anticipated ground breaking that attracted community and business leaders interested in learning more about the development and its positive impact on their community.

"Kicking it off from John Laing Homes was HomeAid Orange County board member David Prolo, John Laing Homes senior vice president, and Eric Weinstein project supervisor - whose parents Pam and Marv Weinstein - flew in from Colorado to attend the construction launch.

HOPE FAMILY HOUSING-BUENA PARK GROUNDBREAKING SIDESTEPS HEFTY WINDS

Jim Palmer, president of the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) - Hope Family Housing’s care provider - and Mark Conzelman, OCRM board member detailed the various program elements that will be offered to residents when they take occupancy approximately 12-18 months from now.

Dr. Malcolm Lewis of CTG Energetics, Inc. - also an Orange County Rescue Mission board member - offered the invocation; with HomeAid Orange County’s executive director, Scott Larson serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the day’s activities.

Mayor Patsy Marshall and Councilmen Art Brown, Jim Dow and Don McCoy, along with city manager Rick Warsinski expressed their respective enthusiasm for the development that started with the groups’ collective vision.  Councilman Steve Berry, though unable to attend, sent his congratulations to the entire team.

Also on board were representatives from another key partner, the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, a long-time HomeAid Orange County supporter that has committed $1.3 million dollars slated for Hope Family Housing construction funding.

Hope Family Housing designed by Bassenian/Lagoni Architects will provide 16 townhouse units and a manager’s apartment each complete with a private courtyard, laundry and garage. Two separate areas include a village green, a play area and landscaped grounds, along with a multi-purpose community room that will provide space for recreation, education and resident programs.

Project liaison, HomeAid Orange County was established by the leadership of the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California in 1989.  Charged with the mission of building and renovating shelters for the temporarily homeless, HomeAid Orange County has completed 40 shelter developments throughout Orange County, with three currently in various stages of planning and construction. For more information call (949) 553-9510 or visit www.homeaidoc.org.