Volunteers from Texas State Technical College teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Saturday to build a new home for a local family. The home they were building is part of a project on Over Street to build two homes side-by-side.

Cole Worley, a Habitat for Humanity construction manager, said he enjoys working with volunteers.

"We're working on the 154th Habitat for Humanity home in Abilene. We have a great group from TSTC helping us," said Worley.

Worley said a little help goes a long way with home-building projects. He said because of the money Habitat for Humanity saves on construction, they are able to sell homes with 0% interest.

"We couldn't afford to build them without volunteers. I  don't think our homeowners could afford to pay for them if we didn't have the volunteer support as well. So volunteers are really what makes this operation work," said Worley.

Saturday, TSTC students showed up to help work on the house.

"It feels really good to help build a house for somebody, but I enjoy working on things like this and it's a way I can help out," said Andrew Grant, a wind energy student and member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Winds of Texas Club at TSTC.

"We're considering trying to do something like this once a month or something like that. We'd definitely like to continue doing it on a regular basis," said Grant.

Habitat for Humanity said it takes 6-8 months to build each home. They said they have opportunities for volunteers of all skill levels. Those who apply for a Habitat for Humanity home must meet certain requirements in order to purchase the interest-free home. 

Applicants must live in the community they are applying in for a certain amount of time, meet income requirements and put in a certain amount of "sweat equity." Sweat equity means each homeowner must spend 300 hours helping to build the home before they can purchase it.