Condominium Project Lets Families Construct Their Futures

But now the project has been turned over to future owners and volunteers, who come from churches and local businesses on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Future owners are required to put in 300 to 500 hours on the job, depending on their family situations, and a large contingent was installing drywall, flooring and sound-reduction devices on a recent Saturday, with almost palpable joy.

"It makes a big difference when you see you are building your own place, and you're participating with [future neighbors]," Moharan said. "When I finish my hours, I'm willing to work for the neighbors' hours."

Taking a break from measuring and cutting some sound-attenuation channels, Moharan said, "I love this program. I love the spirit of it. I'm going to try to volunteer all my life."

Hamiddouche said she and her son can't wait to move into their new place. "I'm so happy to hear about this program," she said. "It's so amazing how this is going so smooth. I can see the dream coming true every day."

Yahed Salimi of Falls Church interrupted his work on an electric saw to reflect on the 300 hours he's already spent on-site, in anticipation of moving his wife and two children into a new apartment. "I feel really good, like I'm working for myself," Salimi said.

Volunteers were spread through the project as well, and several, such as Dabney and Bill Hart of Falls Church, had spent time helping rebuild homes in Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina. "It's rewarding," Dabney Hart said after wielding a power drill. "It's something we can do to give back. You see the results and it makes it all worthwhile."

The Westbrook Forest project should be done by December or January, Cleveland said. Then, Habitat plans to launch another one right next to it, also on Lee Highway.

Salimi may be there, working next door to his new place."I'm going to try to volunteer in the future and make a house for somebody else," he said.