Charleston resident Steven Irby, 46, and his family are getting a new home, thanks to Coles County Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a great relief to getting all this started,” said Irby after the groundbreaking ceremony held Sunday.

The house his family will live in will be the 20th home the group has built in the Charleston and Mattoon area since its establishment in 1989.

Currently, Irby and his two children live at Charleston Meadows Apartments.

Irby has live in Charleston most of his life and heard about Habitat for Humanity from an aunt.

When completed, the home will have the same design as the others made by Habitat, including three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It will cover about 1000 square feet.

Irby will help build his new home.

After choosing a family based on their living conditions and ability to pay for a home Habitat for Humanity requires all soon-to-be homeowners to help with the construction. They or their family members must put in at least 250 “sweat-equity hours”.

Families like the Irbys also take out a 30-year loan that, unlike most loans, has no interest fee and is put toward building other houses.

Volunteers help with construction unless a workman with a special skill is needed. If workers have to be hired, they are hired using the money from the loan.

Most of the work is done on weekends for about 8 hours a shift, with a house being built within a matter of weeks.

But Habitat’s work isn’t done after the home is made. The group also provides help to the new homeowners.

“We walk them through from the beginning to the end,” says Larry Keigley, 49, a Charleston resident who, along with his wife, will act as a “support family” for the Irbys. Their job is to help the family deal with paperwork and teach Irby what he needs to know to own a house.

The Irbys’ new home will be on the same street as two other Habitat homes. Their immediate neighbors will be the DeRousse family.

“It’s just been a blessing for us,” said Charleston resident Paula DeRousse, 37, of getting a new home.

She said her family is healthier and happier after they moved out of a cramped trailer with black mold growing in the walls and carpet. She said she applied for the home thanks to insistent friends and doesn’t regret the decision.

“I think everyone should be able to get a house they can afford,” says Coorine P. D-Joyner, Coles County Habitat for Humanity Family Support Committee Chairperson. “There’s nothing like having a home.”

Joshua Van Dyke can be contacted at 581-7942 or jmvandyke@eiu.edu..