ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity rolled up their sleeves on the morning of Friday, Sept. 29th for a build day event in Elmira. A home on Pratt Street is getting some much needed improvements, and will soon be ready for a local family. 

"We're in the midst of a housing crisis, it's really a challenge for people of medium or low income to afford their own home, so we're here to give them a hand up, not a hand out, they also work on the houses and they have to come up with an affordable mortgage to make their payments affordable," said Sheila Russell, family Services Coordinator for the Chemung County Habitat for Humanity.

To help get the job done, the Habitat for Humanity teamed up with the New York State Mortgage Bankers Association. The home on Pratt Street is expected to be done next Spring. 

Build Day is part of a state-wide build weekend, which doubles as a celebration of former President Jimmy Carter's Birthday. Carter, whose birthday is Oct. 1st, has been a staunch supporter of Habitat for Humanity along with his wife.