NATCHEZ &045; Seven local families have a place to call home because of United Way donations.

Habitat for Humanity President Andrew Calvit said the organization is not a handout agency &045; it offers a hand up.

But that hand up wouldn’t be there without United Way dollars, he said.

&uot;Every penny that we raise goes into the construction of the house,&uot; Calvit said.

Volunteers are currently working on the eighth Adams County house and have purchased seven more lots for future builds.

To qualify for a Habitat house the family must be in dire need, have an income from one or more jobs and put in time on the construction site.

The volunteers who do all of the actual building are usually not professional builders and often have no construction experience.

In the past house construction has taken 10 months to a year.

&uot;Anyone that wants to help can help,&uot; Calvit said. &uot;Individuals can just walk up, groups should make arrangements.&uot;

Groups that frequently volunteer include the Jefferson Street Methodist youth group, Cathedral students and most recently a group of teachers from the Natchez-Adams County School District.

The families who receive the house must pay a house note with no interest until the house is paid for.

&uot;When the community gives to United Way we are just one of those recipients,&uot; Calvit said. &uot;Sometimes I don’t think we can do without it.&uot;