GLENMONT, Md. - Foreclosures in certain areas of Montgomery County (web|news) are adding up and at the same time, the county's wait list for affordable housing is getting longer so Habitat for Humanity and Montgomery County government announced a partnership aimed at tackling both problems at the same time.

One in a family of six, Wendy Ruiz remembers the days of packing everyone into a two bedroom apartment. The days before Habitat for Humanity stepped in. "It's ours and that's the best part about it," said Ruiz.

The program provides low income families a house at cost with a no-interest mortgage, but the home is built by the family members themselves with help from habitat volunteers. "It just made us know that there's opportunity out there. There's a chance. There's just a lot of people that care," said Ruiz.

Montgomery County officials announced plans to buy 10 foreclosed homes at about $350,000 a piece. Then, they will hand the keys to habitat. The nonprofit will take it from there and find low income families who want to be part of renovating a home they can buy for nearly a third of its value with no interest. "It's important to help low income families who want to live in Montgomery to have the ability, but it's equally important to help keep these neighborhoods stabilized," said Rick Nelson, Montgomery County Department of Housing Community Affairs director.

In making their purchases, the county is targeting Glenmont and Wheaton neighborhoods where foreclosures have hit hard. 41-year-old Glenmont resident John Rush has seen his neighbors come and go and he has watched houses on his block sit vacant. He hopes the program will keep his community in tact. "I suppose it's better to have someone living here than no one living here," said Rush.