Two new homes being constructed in partnership with local families at Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County’s Birkenfeld Community in Port Townsend are taking shape thanks to volunteers from Port Townsend’s faith community.

More than 30 volunteers from local congregations donated 214 hours of time over three weekends in November and December as part of the annual Interfaith Group Build.

Habitat’s Interfaith Relations Committee organized and recruited volunteers for the event to bring people of all faiths together with the common goal of addressing the housing challenges facing our area.

Committee members Milton Lum, Diane Bommer, Tom Larsen, Marlene Colvin and Carol Young created the building assignments so that volunteers from different churches would be on site on the same day, fostering relationships among all faiths. Participants from Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Calvary Community Church, St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and Grace Lutheran Church took part. Experienced tradespeople worked alongside those new to construction, and a group of volunteers arrived each day at noon to serve a donated lunch.

Habitat is currently scheduling builds for community groups and organizations in 2017. Those interested in scheduling time for their group to participate, or individuals who would like to volunteer, should contact

volunteer@habitatejc.org.

All Habitat homeowners participate in financial education, work several hundred hours to help build their homes and pay an affordable mortgage. In 2015 and 2016, all new Habitat homeowners qualified for mortgages in the range of $600-$750 per month. Since its founding in 1998, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County has built 38 houses.

For more information or to apply for the program, contact 379-2827 or homes@habitatejc.org.