IRVINE, Calif. (May 2, 2008) – More than 60 building industry and community leaders gathered on the site of HomeAid Orange County's fourth housing development project for Precious Life Shelter in Los Alamitos on Wednesday, April 30. The ceremonial groundbreaking marks the start of construction on the estimated $880,000 project that when completed will add 12 beds increasing Precious Life Shelter's ability to provide aid to 36 homeless pregnant women. HomeAid Orange County, a non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing were homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives, is working with builder captain Empire Homes, JZMK Partners, Borm Engineering, Hunsaker & Associates Irvine, Inc. and over 70 consultants, suppliers and specialty contractors on the new construction of two, two-story buildings which will include five apartments, a meeting room and a new childcare facility.

Russ Van Cleve, Empire Homes President, was thrilled to be a part of this project. "I believe in the services Precious Life Shelter provides in our community. My staff joins me in this commitment. In addition to the work they are doing on the construction, last Christmas they asked to cancel their employee Christmas luncheon and to instead use the funds to buy presents for the mothers and children at Precious Life Shelter," said Van Cleve.

JZMK Partners' architectural talents have been a part of all four HomeAid projects with Precious Life Shelter. "As the architects, it is exciting to see the dirt cleared, construction begin and know our designs are now coming to life to provide safe homes for homeless mothers and their children," said Mike Penrose, JZMK Partners Senior Associate.

Founded in 1989 Precious Life Shelter has helped over 1,800 homeless pregnant women regain stability and become self-reliant. HomeAid Orange County joined efforts with Precious Life Shelter in 1992 by renovating an existing structure into an emergency shelter, making Precious Life Shelter the only non-profit organization in Orange County to provide immediate emergency services to homeless adult pregnant women.

In 1997 new construction was completed on a two story five unit building which provides individual apartments for mothers and their newborns to live in while they receive job training and work toward self-reliance. In 2001 the third project was a multi-purpose building that provides secure living accommodations for mothers-to-be and a licensed infant care facility.

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 service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 40 housing developments with five projects in development 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