CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In the 25 years Habitat for Humanity has operated in Charlotte, they’ve built nearly 800 homes in the city limits.

County-wide that number is well over a thousand. Each of these homes represents a family that didn’t want a hand-out, just help getting started and they were willing to work for it.

The organization requires that people in need of a home put in “sweat equity” to help pay for their new property.

Each is required to put in many hours of building, community service, or shop hours to be eligible for one of the affordable Habitat homes.

This week, Habitat is going all-out with help from area builders. In north Charlotte they are going to build five homes from start to finish in about five days.

“This is our third annual Home Builder’s Blitz,” said Burt Green, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte.

“This is a really challenging year for the home-building industry. We are really humbled and honored that in spite of that they have come out this year and supported us so strongly,” said Green.

Home builders do much of the work during this Blitz. It is a national campaign for Habitat and, in all, 264 homes will be erected this week across the country under the Habitat for Humanity banner.

In addition to the home builders, new homeowners, and Habitat volunteers, there was another face on the build sites Wednesday.

Didiayer Snyder, from the hit ABC television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" came to the Queen City to lend a hand as well.

“This has been a contagious bundle of joy! Every time you run into someone they are all smiling, no matter how hot it is out here in Charlotte. They are just working around the clock. It’s just a wonderful spirit,” said Snyder.

You can hear more of her interview by checking in the sidebar of this article.

The real star on the build site Wednesday though had to be D.J.

D.J. is a 9-year-old with cerebral palsy. Right now, his mom, Robin Means, lives with him and two other children in a cramped two-bedroom apartment.

One of the five new homes is going to be theirs.

Means worked hard for it, putting in lots of sweat equity. Her payoff is big.

The new home will have wheelchair access, wide halls and door openings, and a fully rail-equipped bathroom. They have none of this in their apartment.

The best thing, the new home payments will end up being less than what Means is paying for rent, all thanks to Habitat.

"This is a huge change. I'm going to be the first person in my family to own a home. My son is always going to have a place that is comfortable and suitable to him. We're just excited about it," said Means.

For an extended interview with Means and her son D.J. and to see a slideshow of the build, check the sidebar of this article.

We’ve also included a link to the Charlotte chapter of Habitat for Humanity.