Building crews are working hard this weekend to frame four new houses for Habitat for Humanity by Sunday evening.
"What you would have seen [Friday] morning, was basically holes in the ground and by the end of this weekend you're going to see what looks like houses," said Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Fiona Coughlin.
The Windsor Essex Home Builders Association put the crews together to help Habitat for Humanity get four families into new homes by Christmas.
"We've got members, framing crews, we have sub-trades, we have a bunch of different people that are members of the home builders association, here working hard, getting dirty, playing in the mud. Doing what needs to be done to get these houses built for these needy families," said President of the WEHBA Vince Lapico.
In addition to the volunteers, Habitat for Humanity encourages future homeowners to help with the building process.
Josaphat Rwamihigo helps to build his future home during a Habitat for Humanity build, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
"Habitat is a partnership model. One of the things that are really important to us is that we work together. We don't build for, we build with," said Coughlin.
Josaphat Rwamihigo, his wife and five kids will be moving into one of the homes on St. Luke Road when the build is complete. He said he is very excited to be a part of the process.
"Everyone needs a home," said Rwamihigo. "Everyone needs a place they call home and to have a place of your own, and your five kids, it's so very, very important and we are really grateful."
Habitat for Humanity has built 67 homes in Windsor-Essex since 1994.