The Royce Family learns news of Habitat Homeowner selection during special evening with Donors, Volunteers & Staff

Los Angeles, CA – December 14, 2010: In the closing moments of a holiday event Tuesday evening, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) delivered a holiday gift to the Royce family by surprising them with the news that they were selected as Habitat homeowners. The surprise announcement was made at L.A. Live during a holiday reception, sponsored by AEG Season of Giving, for HFH GLA volunteers, donors and board members. Toward the end of the reception, attendees were asked to assemble for a special announcement from President/CEO Erin Rank, who was joined by Board Member, Gerry Bross and Actor/Activist, Ed Begley, Jr. Together they announced that the Royce family had been selected for a new affordable, sustainable home in Lawndale, to be built in partnership with HFH GLA.

“The idea of home takes on special meaning during the holidays,” says Erin Rank. “What better time of year to give a family the gift of security and warmth through homeownership. It was also very rewarding to make this announcement amongst volunteers, donors and board members – the people whose hard work and support makes our affordable homeownership opportunities possible.”

For many the holidays and home go hand and hand, however the reality is that because of a lack of affordable housing in Los Angeles, thousands of families and individuals are forced to endure sub-standard living conditions. HFH GLA strives to create homeownership opportunities for hardworking families like the Royce’s. Candy Royce and her mom, Dawn, have worked together as foster parents for many years. Candy recently adopted three foster children, all under age 5, whom she raised from infancy, when they could not be placed back with their biological parents. The family currently lives in an unsafe home with no heat, broken windows and cracked, water damaged walls. Soon, the Royce family will begin building their new home in partnership with HFH GLA in nearby Lawndale.

Habitat for Humanity is not a home giveaway program. The organization offers a hand-up not a handout. The Royce family will be required to make a reasonable down payment, pay back a zero-interest mortgage and volunteer up to 500 hours of “sweat equity” building their home and volunteering with HFH GLA.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent, affordable and sustainable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated over 630 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner.   For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com

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Media Contacts:

Jo-An Turman

Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications

T: 310-323-4663 ext. 121

jturman@habitatla.org

Angela Moore

Starfish P.R.

T: 310-429-8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

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