Former President Jimmy Carter launched a campaign on Saturday to build and repair affordable housing in Los Angeles, saying this would ideally raise awareness about creating change in communities.

The former president was here to formally announce Los Angeles as the host city of Habitat for Humanity's 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project.

He said he and thousands of Habitat volunteers would build or repair 100 homes in Los Angeles this fall.

"The first step to solving the affordable housing crisis in Los Angeles, and for that matter throughout the world, is to shine a spotlight on the problem and implore all Americans to confront the issue," Carter said.

"Rosalynn and I are incredibly pleased that Los Angeles has agreed to host the project in 2007. We hope our efforts, and those of thousands of Habitat volunteers who join us, will raise not only walls but awareness of the power we each have to create a significant and substantive change in communities throughout California, our country and the world," Carter said.

Carter made his announcement with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Los Angeles is faced with a huge housing crisis that leaves many of our residents unable to reach the American dream of home ownership," Villaraigosa said. "I am proud to be working with President Carter to roll up our sleeves and face this challenge together."

In 1995, the Carters and more than 1,500 Habitat volunteers built 21 houses in Los Angeles.

Habitat for Humanity has built about 10,000 homes worldwide.

Source: Xinhua