HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2005--With thousands of hurricane evacuees still in a housing crisis, HomeAid, the country's leading non-profit builder of transitional housing, is working in Houston to develop housing for evacuee women in crisis, including women who are victims of domestic violence -- a quiet, but critical demographic of evacuees who are in desperate need of a secure living environment. Together, HomeAid and its primary Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund partner, Ameriquest Mortgage Company, will break ground on Wellsprings Village on December 8, in conjunction with HomeAid Houston and the Greater Houston Builders Association. The project, consisting of six, four-bedroom homes on three acres of land located in Houston, will serve evacuee women in crisis who have been relocated to Houston from hurricane-impacted areas in the Gulf Coast region.

In addition to Wellsprings Village, the HomeAid/Ameriquest Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund will finance a second Houston-area project called The Mission of Yahweh which will break ground in early January 2006 and serve a similar population.

"In addition to providing a safe place to live, Wellsprings will provide housing and supportive services for 18 months in a dignified and nurturing residential environment for women who are dealing with both hurricane-related challenges and personal crises at the same time. At Wellsprings, they will get the support and tools that they need to truly begin to rebuild their lives," said Genette Eaton, CEO of HomeAid.

In the months ahead, Wellsprings will work with local homeless coalition and disaster relief agencies, churches and area shelters to identify evacuee women who will benefit from their unique rebuilding support programs.

Partnering with HomeAid and Ameriquest to complete the Wellsprings project quickly are HomeAid's Houston chapter and the Greater Houston Home Builders Association, as well as David Weekley Homes and Tilson Home Corporation who will jointly build the homes. Upon completion, trained staff at Wellsprings will manage the development and provide support services to residents.

"Since 1988, Wellsprings has provided a safe, nurturing environment where homeless women escaping from domestic violence or recovering from the devastation caused by substance abuse, poverty, or illiteracy can work to become productive self-sustaining members of their community," states Carol Updyke, Board President of Wellsprings. "In this special case, we are honored to have been chosen by HomeAid and its national network of partners to be part of their supportive housing rebuilding effort. We are thrilled to build these homes and open up our community to those evacuees who are in desperate need of housing and services."

Wellsprings Village is currently one of two transitional housing projects scheduled to be built in Houston by HomeAid and its Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund partners. The second Houston project, to break ground in early January 2006, will be a 4,000 square-foot, 16-unit women's facility at The Mission of Yahweh built by Doyle Stuckey Homes.

These Gulf Coast rebuilding projects are financed by the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund established in September 2005 through a $3 million donation by Ameriquest Mortgage and its affiliates Argent Mortgage and AMC Mortgage Services. Since the Fund was established, many more corporations have joined the effort, including many of HomeAid's long-time building industry partners -- Shea Homes, K.Hovnanian Companies, MBK Homes, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Taylor Woodrow Homes, Crestwood Communities and Homestore.com. Through this unique building and support network, HomeAid is providing a niche response to America's transitional housing crisis.

"We are privileged and grateful to be working with companies like Ameriquest Mortgage and others in corporate America to respond to the housing crisis resulting from this natural disaster, especially at a time when the government's financial resources are slowing down," said Eaton. "The massive rebuilding effort required is overwhelming for these evacuees and we are committed to providing housing and support services to help as many people as possible put their lives back together."

In addition to HomeAid's two Houston projects, its first Gulf Coast Rebuilding project broke ground last month on the site of the historic New Orleans Rescue Mission, located one-quarter mile southeast of the Superdome. A 4,000 square-foot housing development will be ready to house women and children in time for the holidays. In total over the next year, HomeAid will develop 10 multiple housing facilities in three states of the Gulf Coast region -- Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. Together, these projects will house thousands of evacuee individuals and families for up to two years while they go through the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.

For more information, or to make a donation to HomeAid's "Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund" or it's ongoing mission, visit www.homeaid.org.
Contributions can also be sent to HomeAid Gulf Coast Rebuilding Fund,
3919 Westerly Place, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

About HomeAid

HomeAid is the nation's largest builder of housing for the homeless and has helped more than 52,000 temporarily homeless men, women and children. With the mission of building dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives, HomeAid has 22 chapters in 11 states, has completed 111 housing projects nationwide with another 53 projects currently in development, and manages combined finance/construction assets exceeding $111 million. HomeAid was established in 1989 as a non-profit organization by the Building Industry Association of Southern California, an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders. For more information call 949-258-0850 or visit www.homeaid.org.

About ACC Capital Holdings and its Affiliate Companies

ACC Capital Holdings, parent to Ameriquest Mortgage, AMC Mortgage Services, and Argent Mortgage, is headquartered in Orange, Calif. As national mortgage companies they help people achieve their home ownership dreams and financial freedom. To fulfill that mission, they originate and service home mortgage loans throughout the United States. ACC Capital Holdings and its affiliates employ thousands of associates nationwide. For more information about Ameriquest, Argent and AMC Mortgage Services visit www.ameriquest.com, www.amcmortgageservices.com, and www.argentmortgage.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

HomeAid

HomeAid

HomeAid Northern Virginia was started in 2001 by the members of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA), and since then has completed more than 54 projects valued at more than $10 million. HomeAid Northern Virginia is a chapter of HomeAid America.

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