While having a place to call home is a luxury most ISU students are accustomed to, other Ames residents aren’t as fortunate. However, charity and hard work will give one Ames family that precious gift.

On Tuesday morning, a celebratory gathering at 1508 Carroll Ave., the site of “Operation: Renovation II,” brought local organizations and officials together in alliance and action with the new “Housing America 2007” campaign.

The project is a collaboration of philanthropy, funds and goodwill by the city of Ames, Habitat for Humanity and Housing America 2007, in an attempt to raise consciousness about the need for affordable housing programs in the United States. The house will provide a place for one family in need to call home.

Ames Mayor Ann Campbell was the first to become a “high roller” at the event, as she rolled a paintbrush along the entry room’s walls.

“It is very exciting,” Campbell said. “My family and I have been involved with Habitat for Humanity for a long time. Seeing what it will do for the neighborhood and for the enthusiastic family is a dream come true.”

According to the Web site for the National Housing Conference, Tuesday’s celebration was one of many to take place between March 21 and April 9, during which “affordable-housing advocates across the country will participate in the campaign by sponsoring events or activities designed to highlight the critical affordable housing shortage and the need for programs, policies and resources to more effectively address local housing needs.”

Melvin Fisher, Ames resident and first recipient of a house at 115 E. 14th St. through Operation: Renovation I, attended the celebration for reasons that hit close to home.

“I am involved with Habitat for Humanity,” Fisher said. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have the home or community I have today.”

Fisher and his family moved into the house dedicated to them last fall, he said.

“I love it very much,” Fisher said. “It is something we always wanted, and now we have it through the city of Ames and Habitat for Humanity.”

Vanessa Baker-Latimer, housing coordinator for the city of Ames, was delegating duties while encouraging volunteers inside the home, before wrapping things up.

“I appreciate everyone’s support at the event,” Baker-Latimer said.

The schedule for construction is tentative, as it runs in cooperation with the weather, but the home is anticipated to be dedicated in August.