The rising costs of living have left little hope for folks with dreams of homeownership, but Habitat for Humanity wants to change that by developing affordable homes for low-income families.
The organization broke ground on new projects in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, marking the construction of six new affordable homes for low-income families, including three duplexes.
President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, far left, Santa Ana Mayor, Valerie Amezcua, center, City Council members and Habitat Board Members shovel the first soil during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor, Valerie Amezcua on stage with Supervisor Vincente Sarmiento, right, and Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez, gives a speech acknowledging the hard work of volunteers, the support contributors and the contributions of the City of Santa Ana during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Michael Valentine applauds the hard work of volunteers, and the support contributors during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor, Valerie Amezcua, center, sits with Supervisor Vincente Sarmiento, to her left, and Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Idalia Velazquez receives hugs and support from the two youngest children after her emotion speech expressing her appreciation for the family’s new home during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Leonel and Idalia Velazquez, with their four children, express their appreciation to Habitat OC for the new home they will move into during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Idalia Velazquez gives an emotional speech about life before and her appreciation for her new home and what it means for her family at the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
An attendee records the speeches of Leonel and Idalia Velazquez who are the recipients of a Habitat for Humanity home during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
The Velazquez children ranging in age from 4 to 13 whose parents are the recipients of a Habitat OC home at the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
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President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, far left, Santa Ana Mayor, Valerie Amezcua, center, City Council members and Habitat Board Members shovel the first soil during the Habitat for Humanity’s ground breaking of six new affordable homes in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
Each 1,403-square-foot home will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a private yard, an attached two-car garage and guest parking space. One unit will be constructed as an accessible unit for veterans or a person with disabilities.
“I’m very happy about these homeownership opportunities coming to the Artesia Pillar neighborhood,” Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez said of the project during a City Council meeting earlier this month. “I encourage (residents) to reach out to Habitat for Humanity and the city of Santa Ana for more information.”
The City Council earlier this month approved a $2.2 million grant agreement for the project from the city’s inclusionary housing fund.
Currently, 1 in 5 families are paying 50% of their household income for their rent or mortgage, officials said in a statement. With that in mind, homes built by Habitat for Humanity Habitat in Orange County are available for qualifying families at a reduced purchase price and interest rate based on up to 35% of their annual income and a reduced down payment.
For more information about the application process, visit habitatoc.org/apply-for-a-home. Homes are expected to be available in fall 2025.
