NATCHEZ — Volunteers on Garden Street are currently hard at work, hoping to finish construction on a house in the coming months so a family can have a place to call their own.

The Natchez-Adams County Habitat for Humanity has been helping put roofs over the heads of Natchez residents for approximately 25 years. The non-profit organization uses donated funds and volunteer effort to build houses for those in need.

Volunteers work alongside family members to build the houses, as each adult is required to put in 250 hours of work, known as sweat equity.

“We’re not a hand out, we’re a hand-up,” President Andrew Calvit said.

Calvit said it takes eight months to a year to build a house. At the end of those months, a dedication ceremony is hosted where the family moves into the house with an interest-free mortgage.

“It brings all the sweat and all the hard work you put into the house together and the family is so appreciative owning their home,” Calvit said.

By building houses, Calvit said it also raises property values and is good for the city. One of the areas Habitat has transformed is Smith Lane, which now features seven Habitat houses.

Before, Calvit said it had several vacant lots.

“When you go there now it looks like a mini-subdivision,” Calvit said.

Habitat is currently in need of funds. The price of construction materials has gone up over the past few years, Calvit said.

“So it takes more money to buy more materials to get more houses,” he said.

The organization also needs volunteers, no matter what their work background. Volunteers need only a willing mind, Calvit said, and to be at least 14 years old.

Donations can be sent to Natchez-Adams County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 100, Natchez, MS., 39121-0100. Checks should be made out to Natchez-Adams County Habitat for Humanity.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact secretary and board member Duncan McFarlane at 601-445-8639 or Calvit at 601-446-3130. Volunteers can also come to the current job site at 11 Garden St., Natchez.

Work takes place 8 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.