HomeAid Orange County's 50th Housing Development is Coming to Life for Homeless Families

IRVINE, Calif. - Nov. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Irvine, CA – HomeAid Orange County (http://www.homeaid.org/) joined by Builder Captain Shea Homes Southern California (http://www.sheahomes.com/) to walk through the 50^th project it has developed since 1989, kicking off the 25^th anniversary of HomeAid to help end homelessness.  The walk through was held on November 22 in honor of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week of November 16 – 24 and offered updates on the progress of the expansion of the New Vista Shelter in Fullerton.  The shelter is operated by Pathways of Hope (http://pathwaysofhope.us/), a local non-profit organization in north Orange County providing transitional housing for families and individuals facing homelessness, and the needed time to regain self-sufficiency.

The New Vista expansion will encompass two apartment buildings with four units each with studio, one, two and three-bedroom configurations that house up to 10 families and will complete the Pathways of Hope campus. Families represent the largest percentage of those living in shelters throughout Orange County and this new development when complete will bring much needed shelter to 82 parents and their children.  Construction is slated to be complete in early 2014.

“We are very excited about the expansion of the New Vista Shelter,” said Barbara Jennings, President of the Board of Directors for Pathways of Hope.  “It is gratifying we will be able to help additional Orange County families during a difficult transition period in their lives.  The New Vista Shelter has served more than 1,025 Orange County families since the first home on the campus was put into operation in 1986.  Our sincere thanks goes out to HomeAid Orange County who has helped develop, renovate and maintain the New Vista campus, creating a significant resource of services for the homeless community.”

“The New Vista Shelter for Pathways of Hope is an accomplishment we are very proud of,” said Scott Larson, executive director of HomeAid Orange County.  “The timing of the walk through during Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week will bring added exposure to the expansion, enabling Pathways of Hope to provide even more valuable assistance to Orange County residents in need of transitional housing and services.”

This new housing option will allow Pathways of Hope to serve families and individuals who need increased time to gain employment skills, finish school, resolve credit issues, or address other issues. This type of housing provides safety, stability, and support to alter the cycles that have contributed to one’s housing crisis.  Pathways of Hope works closely with local government agencies, congregations and community volunteers to identify and meet the needs of the homeless.  Their programs and services include rapid re-housing services, food assistance, homelessness prevention and community outreach, working to help find individuals full time employment, set goals, develop budgets and receive counseling.

About HomeAid Orange County

HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the purpose to end homelessness through advocacy, development and service for homeless families and individuals.  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 49 developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families.  For more information, please visit www.homeaidoc.org.

About Pathways of Hope

Pathways of Hope, formerly known as Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service, Inc. (FIES), is a non-profit organization. For over 38 years Pathways Of Hope has been providing food, transitional living and support and prevention services to the hungry, homeless and less advantaged through assistance of local congregations, volunteers, businesses and grants from foundations and government agencies.  Pathways of Hope works closely with local governmental agencies, congregations and community volunteers to identify and meet the needs of the homeless and economically disadvantaged in the Southern California area. Although Pathways of Hope is located in Fullerton CA (http://ci.fullerton.ca.us/), it touches a much larger community as we work together to combat homelessness. Pathways of Hope’s programs and services include transitional housing for families and individuals, rapid re-housing services, food assistance, homelessness prevention, and community outreach. For more information, visit http://pathwaysofhope.us.