BERKELEY -- Students at the University of California, Berkeley will push for affordable housing on campus during the third annual HabiFest on Wednesday.

They'll be joined by students at more than 200 campuses in about 40 states participating in the Habitat for Humanity events, organizers said.

As part of the UC Berkeley event, a panel of experts will speak about affordable housing and homelessness from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in 145 Dwinelle Hall.

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates will talk about housing programs in the city of Berkeley. Robin Shell, a Habitat for Humanity official, will discuss housing issues facing the international community. And Eliza Schissel, of East Bay Habitat for Humanity, will speak about the organization's local work.

Although members of the UC Berkeley chapter recently traveled to Zambia to live with families and help them build homes, chapter President Jesse Le said a shortage of housing also is a crucial issue in Berkeley.

"Living in Berkeley, we see every day what the lack of affordable housing can do, but all too often students are complacent and don't believe they can do anything to affect change. (During HabiFest) students around the country are standing up and proving that they care and they can make a difference," Le said.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller. Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built and sold more than150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.

The UC Berkeley chapter was founded in 1999 and is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of worldwide conscience and action.