SANTA ANA, Calif.—Nestled within the neighborhood of French Park, dozens of members of Habitat for Humanity’s Orange County branch gathered to help build homes for two working-class families during a light drizzle on the morning of May 5.

The local arm of the nonprofit has built 237 homes in Orange County over the last 35 years, according to President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Monique Davis.

“But we can do more,” she said. “Over the next two years, our goal is to have 100 homes in development so we can continue to support the community to make home ownership and affordable housing for local families a reality.”

Habitat for Humanity members work on finishing two housing units for working-class families in Santa Ana, Calif., on May 5, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The two homes under construction were a single-story, 1,550-square-foot Craftsman and a two-story 1,850-square-foot Victorian. Their ultimate dwellers will be selected by the nonprofit from applications based on housing needs and income and then enrolled in its home ownership and orientation program.

“We are currently considering applications for the two homes as we speak,” Davis said.

Selected families must be able to take on a mortgage not greater than 30 percent of the family’s household income, based on their current credit scores. Monetary contributions from donors help subsidize expenses and reduce overall costs for awarded families, according to the nonprofit.

Habitat for Humanity members work on finishing two housing units for working-class families in Santa Ana, Calif., on May 5, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

“Our organization has seen enrollment in home ownership orientations continue to grow month-after-month [and] in the last two months alone we received 700 interested participants,” Davis said.

One in five families is spending more than 50 percent of their household income on rent or a mortgage in Orange County, according to the organization.

The day’s work on the two homes also included a friendly competition of local business and community leaders split into four teams to apply wall-panel and paint the homes’ interiors.

Habitat for Humanity patron Charles Antis encourages builders as they work on finishing two housing units for working-class families in Santa Ana, Calif., on May 5, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Despite the rain, teams were consistent with providing encouragement to each other.

“Everyone deserves a decent place to live,” Antis Roofing & Waterproofing CEO Charles Antis told The Epoch Times. “Consistent shelter is a basic need, and we can help provide it today at this site.”

The estimated completion date for the two homes is the end of August, according to the organization.