La’Tasha Washington receives her mail at an apartment too smallfor her and her children on Eastview Drive, but Habitat forHumanity of Lincoln County officials and area volunteers areworking to provide her with better living conditions.

Construction on a new 1,500 square foot house began in February.Local Habitat Executive Director Emilee Cutler hopes Washington andher four kids will be able to call 405 Grenn St. home by the end ofthe year.

The house, featuring four bedrooms and one and a half baths withsandstone vinyl siding, will cost between $35,000 and $50,000. Howmuch the new house will cost and when the construction will befinished are dependent on the number of volunteers and donationsHabitat receives from the community.

“We’re very appreciative of our volunteers,” said Viola Cupit,director of Family Services.

The nonprofit Christian organization receives help with buildinghouses and acquiring materials from local residents, churches,clubs and businesses.

Last week members from Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Miller& White Inc. lent a hand in building the newest addition toGrenn Street. Cutler mentioned they also have received help fromJohnny Lynch, owner of the Inez Apartments, keeping constructioncosts in order and are looking forward to having United MethodistChurch install siding next week.

The job is on schedule to be finished early next year. Cupitsaid the community is very much involved in the project, but theorganization would like to see more consistent support.

“More consistent support would allow us to build houses fasterand build more houses,” Cupit said.

In addition to constructing more houses and at a faster rate,Cupit added that a steady pace would lower the price of houses dueto the reduction in labor costs.

There is still plenty of work to be done on the house. In theupcoming months phases of construction will include installingdoors, drywall, siding, flooring, cabinets and electrical work.

Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County has provided ninefamilies with new homes. They have built six houses in Brookhavenand three in Lincoln County.

“We build one a year,” Cupit said. “We’d like to build more, butit takes a lot of volunteers. There are a lot of needy children outthere.”

Cupit added that anyone willing to volunteer or donate materialsis more than welcome to attend their meetings every first Tuesdayof each month at the Habitat for Humanity office at 220 F SouthFirst St. at 5:30 p.m.