Homes 4 Families helps veterans turn dream of owning a home into a reality

PALMDALE (KABC) -- Buying a home, especially in Southern California, can feel like an overwhelming challenge, but a local organization is helping those who have served our country meet that challenge head-on.

And the results are about much more than four walls and a roof.

"House prices were skyrocketing, so this program gave us an awesome opportunity to step into home ownership where it might not have been available at the time," said Marcos Huerta.

Homes 4 Families steps in to match 30% to 40% of a family's household income to make that dream of home ownership a reality.

"Veterans have earned this right by their service, their families have earned this right because they've served too while their loved one has been away at war," said Homes 4 Families CEO Donna Deutchman.

Construction is already underway for phase 2 of a new Palmdale development.

Founded in 2008, the program has helped more than 400 low-income families and nearly half of them are veterans and military families.

Plus, in the next few years, Homes 4 Families will help 52 additional military families.

"As veterans, we're not just getting a home, we're getting kind of rehabilitated with everybody and we're fitting in with people who have maybe similar stories, similar things that are happening all at the same time," said Huerta.

The project brings out many volunteers, including actor Michael Fishman.

"You know, the last four years I've been playing DJ Connor, who is a veteran, and it's a real pleasure to kind of honor the military," he said. "Coming from a military family, both my dad and brother are veterans, it's very important to me."

Cecelia Evans says this program is much more unique than others.

"I've been coming to the site for a while now and I've helped build other homes so now I'm building mine. Makes it even better," she said.

It's called sweat equity.