A south Dallas neighborhood is in the process of transformation. The Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is building multiple houses in one community.
On Saturday, the organization teamed up with Dallas native Blake Andrews, who returned to his hometown to help give back to a deserving family via his nonprofit called Giveback Homes.
"Living here, I always felt like I could do more giving back, and being down here and being hands on is very special," he said.
Melissa Cameron with Dallas Habitat for Humanity said the home recipient is Terrance Kelley, who happens to be from this neighborhood.
"His mom passed away, so he came back to the community and decided ‘I want to put down roots and I want to help rebuild this part of south Dallas,’" she said.
This project is largely funded by a group of Dallas area realtors, many of whom are taking off a prime work day to pound some nails with the future homeowner.
"Well it was really fun lifting up tresses with Terrence, he’s a short guy so I had to lift it up a little higher than he did, but it’s great, he’s very excited about this house," said Robbie Briggs with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Dallas Habitat is building a total of 30 new homes in this neighborhood this year, serving more than 100 families.
"It isn’t about transforming one person and one house it’s part of a much bigger revitalization effort," said Cameron. She hopes through this process everyone involved learns a priceless lesson about helping their neighbors.
Cameron said Kelley's house will be completed in October, when former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn are expected to visit Dallas as a part of Habitat for Humanity.
