The Brookhaven branch of Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers to assist with the construction of a house in the area.

As the volunteer organization awaits final permitting, they are calling out for community assistance for the construction of a 1,200-square-foot home. A longtime Brookhaven resident who works for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department will live in the home.

“We expect to get the permit within the next week,” Brookhaven and Lincoln County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Emilee Cutler said Thursday.

“It took a long time to get the title for this particular lot. Now, we are ready to get started building.”

The home will be built on a lot near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Choctaw Street.

Habitat member Peter Corkern estimates the new home will take eight to nine months to construct. A precise estimate is impossible to determine until the group knows how many people will be helping with the project, Corkern said.

So far, Corkern and Habitat have been able to enlist help from Hugh Mathis, owner of Mathis Construction in Brookhaven, and other building professionals in town. Mathis and his team are donating their time and some of their machinery. They will help place the home’s concrete fittings, among other duties.

“They are going to be a big help. They are the construction experts, so they will be able to guide us through the build,” said Corkern.

Five local masons will contribute to the build as well and will layout concrete fittings for the home’s foundation.

Nearly all of the wood for the home has been donated by Plum Creek Timber and has already been cut for framing.

In total, the local branch of Habitat for Humanity has been responsible for 12 home builds since its formation, eight in Brookhaven and four in Lincoln County. “We do about one a year. But we are always looking for land, clearing property and making initial arrangements,” Cutler said.

Fifteen volunteers serve on the Habitat’s board of directors and various committees. Volunteer work can span anywhere from swinging a hammer to babysitting services for homeowners or fellow volunteers.

Cutler says it takes $40,000 to $50,000 to fund a build. Price ranges fluctuate due to cost of property, materials, labor, closing costs, taxes and insurance. It also depends on how many volunteers with professional certification contribute to the build.

“As you might imagine, the final price is higher when we have to hire professionals to complete electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating and painting tasks,” said Cutler.

Homeowners are chosen based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan.

Those who are selected as Habitat partners must demonstrate sub-standard living conditions that could include poor plumbing or lack thereof, safety hazards for the elderly, children or disabled, high rent and high utilities due to poor energy efficiency.

Partners must have the ability to pay. Capital that is originally used to build a house is returned to the “fund for Humanity” through the family’s monthly payments. Ability to pay is determined by family income, a credit check, debt-to-income ratio, bankruptcies, liens or judgments and money for closing costs on home.

Partners must also express a willingness to participate in the building of their house and other Habitat events. Partners are expected to contribute a minimum number of hours to the home construction, what Habitat calls “sweat equity.”

“This isn’t a handout. It’s a hand up,” Cutler said.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, worldwide Christian housing ministry that believes that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Using all volunteer labor and donations, Habitat purchases houses through no-profit mortgage loans or innovative financing methods. The organization is repaid over a 30-year no interest loan that is deposited into a revolving “Fund for Humanity” which supports the construction of more houses.

Volunteer information and applications are available at Habitat’s office on 572 West Congress St. The phone number is 601-823-4061.

“We are looking for donations of money, building materials and volunteers from the community. The more people we have to help, the better,” Cutler said.