ISHPEMING, Mich. (WLUC) – A Marquette County nonprofit and volunteers are working together to help a family build their own home.

A partially built structure in Ishpeming will soon transform into a comfortable 1,200-square-foot home for two, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Habitat for Humanity of Marquette County is once again hosting its two-day Raise the Roof event. Construction Manager Andy Engstrom says the event helps fill a critical need.

“Affordable housing couldn’t be more important these days, considering the cost of materials and the cost of labor, and we really rely on our generous volunteers to come out and support us and help us accomplish our mission , which is to provide affordable housing to those who need it,” Engstrom said.

Henry Morley, ramp and repair program manager, says the event is part of his new homeownership program.

“We check income and employment and make sure they can afford it and are stable enough to really be successful,” Morley said. “We go through the steps, and it’s approved by a family selection committee, and then they’re approved by our board, and then they have to do 250 hours of work to receive the house.”

Morley says the person who receives the house must complete at least 250 hours of work on the house. He says the first day is sometimes the hardest part.

“Today we install the trusses and then we put sheets of sheathing or plywood on top,” Morley said. “It’s your roof deck, and then on top of that we put paper that seals the house, and then your shingles go on top of that.”

Volunteers will add roof covering and synthetic felt to this home on Saturday. Morley says it’s one of more than 100 homes the organization has built over the years.

He would like to thank all the volunteers and businesses for donating their time and free materials.

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