A little over a year ago, 4008 Cedarcrest Dr. was a vacant lot, and now, thanks to the help of volunteers, it’s a brand new home.

Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity held a ceremony for the Walls family who recently moved into the property.

Jason, Lisa and their daughter, Sabrina, were joined by friends and family, some of whom helped with the construction process.

A prayer was led by Donald Cole, the Vice President of the Oxford Habitat group.

“Lord, our God, who dwell in our hearts, bless this house,” Cole said reading from a prayer sheet. “Protect our going out and our coming in; let Jason, Lisa and Sabrina share the hospitality of this home with all who visit; that those who enter here may know your love and peace.”

President of Oxford-Lafayette Habitat Darryail Whittington, has been a volunteer with the non-profit organization for 15 years. He says that the lot on Cedarcrest Drive had been vacant since the founding of the Oxford subdivision.

“Habitat gives people that would never own their own house, a home that they can call theirs,” he said.

To start the building process, Habitat advertised for applicants. The individual applying must have established credit and they must maintain their bills.

“The next requirement they have to do is work on the house for 500 hours,” Whittington added. “So it’s a lot of investment that they have. Once it’s finished and we turn it over to them, they pay us back. We finance the house and their mortgage is determined on their income, it’s not a conventional mortgage. The bank does not set the mortgage, we do.”

Lisa Walls says the new home, “means a lot to the family.”

“Especially with it not having any carpeting in it, my asthma has calmed down and the kids can be in better health,” she said. “We’re really blessed to have this home.”