- 1989
- 2008
- 2013
- 2017
Our Story
In 1989, HomeAid Orange County was founded with the goal of ending homelessness by leveraging the trades within the building industry, under the legal name Shelter Providers of Orange County, Inc.
Established by the Building Industry Association of Southern California, OC Chapter, HomeAid acts primarily as a developer of housing for non-profit service providers, as well as a consultant on housing development projects, done by other public and private entities, that serve those experiencing homelessness.
With project savings of more than 30% of market costs on each housing development, HomeAid truly is the non-profit for non-profits.
By 2008, HomeAid’s role expanded into new avenues of support. Recognizing that its non-profit service provider partners were in need of additional resources like diapers, wipes and baby food, HomeAid launched the annual Essentials Diaper Drive.
Beginning on Mother’s Day each year, HomeAid works with members of the Orange County community to collect donations of diapers, wipes, and baby food for families with babies and toddlers experiencing homelessness. With an annual collection goal of 1 million essential items, HomeAid’s Essentials Diaper Drive supports thousands of families in need.
In 2013 HomeAid Orange County identified another need we could fill: providing useful resources directly to people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Orange County. As a result, the HomeAid CareKit was born!
CareKits are small bags filled with the following items: non-perishable food, a water bottle, a pair of socks, an emergency blanket, sunscreen, lip balm and a housing resource information card.
Annually, over 5,000 CareKits are assembled and distributed to those experiencing homelessness. You can volunteer with HomeAid by making CareKits!
In June 2017, HomeAid Orange County took a step in a new direction. We recognized a dire need in Orange County for emergency housing to support those experiencing homelessness. As a result, we purchased a building in the City of Orange and made the decision to own one of our housing developments for the very first time, giving us a even more rooted stake in the fight to end homelessness. We renovated the building and the HomeAid Family CareCenter was born.
The HomeAid Family CareCenter provides emergency housing to families of all sizes and backgrounds. Services such as case management, housing assistance, etc. are provided by our partner Mercy House Living Centers.
HomeAid Orange County owns and manages the HomeAid Family CareCenter.
Advocacy
We believe that every person deserves the dignity of a safe and clean space to call home. Through both public and private partnerships, we work to develop housing needed by non-profits and other entities who directly serve those experiencing homelessness.
We take an active role in county-wide efforts to end homelessness because we know we can’t achieve our mission alone. Gina R. Scott, HomeAid Orange’s County Executive Director, sits on the United to End Homelessness leadership council, in addition to the City of Orange Chamber of Commerce. HomeAid Orange County also works collaboratively with the Building Industry Association of Southern California, the County of Orange and our 29 non-profit service provider partners.
Read about our organizations position regarding structural racism and racial inequity, here.
Our Team
At the forefront of our mission to end homelessness is the HomeAid Orange County Board of Directors. Coming from a variety of industries, our Board of Directors differ in their professions but share a common goal: housing and supporting those experiencing homelessness.
- Executive Committee
- Board of Directors
- HomeAid Staff
