NATCHEZ — Loud upstairs neighbors won’t keep 7-year-old Sebastian Beverly up any longer.

Sebastian and his mother Patricia Beverly officially received their new Zoa Street home, built through Habitat for Humanity, Sunday at a dedication ceremony.

Being out of their old apartment is a relief for both of them.

“There were a lot of people (upstairs) who kept being loud, and I couldn’t sleep,” Sebastian said.

Patricia Beverly, 41, described her old neighborhood as “not pleasant.”

“When we first moved over there, there was a lot of shootings,” she said. “Now I have a lot of space and a backyard.”

Habitat for Humanity requires that house recipients put in at least 250 volunteer hours helping build their new homes.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Secretary and Treasurer Duncan McFarlane said he refers to those mandatory hours as “sweat equity.”

“We really enforce the 250 hours (rule),” he said. “Patricia sometimes came over at night and did painting.

“I was told that she was here until midnight (Saturday) to finish staining the porch.”

The Beverlys’ home is the 15th Habitat for Humanity has built in Natchez so far, and it only took eight months to construct.

“I’ve never seen a house built from the ground up before,” Patricia said. “I saw each little thing put in place for it to become this (house).”

McFarlane said the house’s total value is approximately $90,000, and Patricia will pay Habitat for Humanity a monthly sum that includes taxes and fire insurance.

Since Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization, it relies on volunteers, donations and land, McFarlane said.

“We run off of private donations,” he said.

Habitat for Humanity functions through some private grants, too, but there is no government funding.

Regardless, the Beverlys would not have been in the running to receive a new home if Patricia hadn’t come across Habitat for Humanity’s website.

She saw the requirements, and knew she could meet them to get a new house, she said. She found the Adams County chapter of Habitat for Humanity and put in an application.

Patricia found out she had been accepted when Habitat for Humanity board members came to her apartment to give her the good news.

“I was thrilled,” she said. “The first thing I said was, ‘I have to tell my mom.’”

Numerous volunteers put in hours helping build the Beverlys new home, and it paid off.

Sebastian said his new house is great and that he’s happy to be there where he has room to play. But he got much more than just a new home. He also got a best friend.

Excell Andrew, Sebastian’s 12-year-old best friend, attended the dedication ceremony. He helped build the house through volunteering with his church.

“I like helping people,” he said. “I wanted to paint and put down the floor.”

One day, he said, he and his friends — who live in Sebastian’s new neighborhood — asked Sebastian to play with them, and they’ve been best friends ever since.

Sebastian’s new, blue room, complete with tile floor, is his favorite aspect of his house. Now, he has room to play inside and outside in his backyard.

Patricia said they plan to move in this week.

“I’m excited to have a better place to raise my son,” she said.

Those interested in donating or volunteering with Habitat for Humanity should call McFarlane at 601-807-4956.