MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis celebrated its 600th build this Saturday.

“These homes may serve as a place of rest, shelter and laughter,” Board Vice Chair, Jerome Franklin said.

Memphis Habitat believes that the way to build up a community is by building homes and in this case, making them affordable.

Along Carver Road, Habitat for Humanity has helped to build 23 homes, allowing people to experience homeownership for the first time.

“I am overwhelmed,” soon-to-be homeowner Jona Harshaw said.

But in a good way.

Harshaw will be a homeowner after she signs her name to the line for her first mortgage this upcoming Friday.

She joked with WREG that she’s been working on her signature since high school. Though she’s laughing now, she knows that this opportunity did not come without blood, sweat and tears.

“It was hard work and dedication,” Harshaw said.

But worth every bit.

Ms. Harshaw is not alone.

In spite of scoring temperatures, there was an excitement in the air that helped to make Saturday picture-perfect.

Since 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis has worked tirelessly to provide homes for Memphians.

The homeowner who will be getting the organization’s 600th home – a woman named LaTonya – was sitting front and center as they introduced the nearly two dozen new homes.

Her son Marco discussed the 13-week Homebuyer Education class they had to take.

“Every Tuesday, I loved that class,” Marco said. “I didn’t miss no single class y’all.”

This is the largest build for Memphis Habitat since 2019.

Which will allow a dozen new families the chance to make these newly built houses their home.

“I am just at such a loss for words, I could really cry right now,” soon-to-be homeowner Kimberly Ann Parks said.

As she and others once planted seeds of homeownership to now see those dreams blossom.