AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ten days, 300 volunteers and boxes upon boxes of nails. That’s what it’s going to take to build a brand new Habitat for Humanity home for Austinite Laura Soto.

The non-profit kicked off its 22nd annual “Home for Holidays” Blitz Build at 7203 Boyle Lane. While it’s an empty slab right now, in less than a few weeks, it’ll be the site of Soto’s new home in east Austin.

Even with working a full-time job as a medical assistant for the past 13 years, the American dream of owning her own home has been financially out of reach for Soto. A new report shows a person living in Austin has to make at least $67,000 to even afford a home. 

“We believe every family deserves a decent, affordable home and affordable homes in Austin are hard to come by these days,” said Phyllis Snodgrass, Austin Habitat for Humanity CEO.

The Austin Strategic Housing Plan from 2016 states that by 2025, Austin will need an additional 60,000 units of housing affordable for people earning 80 percent of the Median Family Income. Soto’s home build also kicks off what will be a 67-home Community Land Trust by Austin Habitat, the largest in Texas.

“Food, clothing, transportation, healthcare, education — many don’t have money towards housing, so when they move to an affordable home model much more of their income is available to save for the future and to take care of these necessities,” Snodgrass explained.