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Planners originally eyed a June start, but are now targeting a July-August construction period.

Saginaw Habitat Executive Director Paul Warriner told local project leaders on Thursday that the family selection committee is currently working to approve to a local family as prospective homeowners.

"We can't break ground until we have a family in place," he said. "Habitat doesn't build spec houses."

Warriner said the family could be approved in as early as two weeks, following a home visit and the okay of the agency's board of directors.

Meanwhile, local organizers are continuing their search for a lot in the Village of Chesaning. Finding affordable property has been challenging, admits Robert Corrin, who has been scouting the village for months with fellow volunteer Francis Sloan.

"We've identified some suitable locations, but they've all been pretty expensive. We're hoping the owners will give us a break, considering this is a Habitat project," he said.

Most of the Saginaw Habitat group's homes have been built in the City of Saginaw, Warriner said, where it has been easy to find low cost lots. In some cases, the property was donated.

Land prices in the village are higher than Warriner originally anticipated. He researched expanding the property search into the township, but the cost of septic and well work made the option too expensive.

Sloan reported that many local contractors have offered to donate their labor to site development and construction, but their formal commitment hinges on the build schedule and location. Community members are buzzing about the project, he said, but are eager for specifics.

Many building professionals are struggling after a slow home building season, he noted, so their support is especially charitable.

"A lot of these guys haven't had a good year. They can't donate the materials, but for them to offer their time and talent is very generous," he said.

Once the partner family is in place and a location is secured, the project timeline will speed up considerably, Warriner said. A strong push will be made for volunteer labor, as well as material and cash donations.

In addition to skilled labor, the project will need volunteers to help with non-construction tasks such as volunteer registration, meal service, office work, publicity, and transportation of volunteers and materials.

The cost of a typical Habitat house - a three bedroom house between 1,050 and1150 square feet- is approximately $68,000.

Saginaw Habitat partners will help the Chesaning build through a variety of fundraisers, but local support is needed. Donations can be made online at http://www.saginawhfh.org, or by calling the Saginaw Habitat for Humanity Office at (989) 753-5200. Donors should specify that their contribution is for the Chesaning project.

The Chesaning project held a benefit concert last spring, with another scheduled on April 21 at New Wine Full Gospel Church in Chesaning. A free will offering will be collected at the 6:30 p.m. event, which will feature Christian and contemporary musical performances by Greg and Chuck Jenkinson, Jamie-Sue Seal and Perry LeHaie.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Applicants are selected on their need, ability to make a mortgage payment and willingness to work on their home during the construction process. Houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.

Since 1987, Saginaw Habitat for Humanity has provided safe, permanent housing for over 500 people, including more than 320 children.

Plans for the first Chesaning area Habitat house got underway last year, after several area churches expressed interest in taking on the project through Saginaw Habitat for Humanity.

For more information about helping with the Chesaning home build, call project coordinator Dianne Reeves at (989) 585-3254.