A group of Harvard University students are spending spring break in Decatur this week, trading traditional vacation plans for construction work as part of a long-running partnership focused on expanding access to affordable housing.

Working alongside Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County, the students are helping build homes in the Heritage Creek development, contributing to projects that will eventually be purchased by local families.

The visit continues a service tradition that dates back more than two decades, connecting students with the Decatur community through hands-on work and local engagement.

Participants typically stay with host families and spend the week working on housing projects aimed at supporting residents facing financial challenges.

According to local reports, the students traveled more than 1,000 miles to take part in the effort, choosing a service-oriented experience over a typical spring break trip.

Throughout the week, students worked at build sites across the city, helping frame walls and advance construction on homes that will provide long-term stability for local families. Volunteers noted the tangible impact of the work, with students contributing directly to major portions of the build.

The group also had the opportunity to meet one of the future homeowners, offering a firsthand look at how their efforts will make a difference.

For the homeowner, the experience highlighted both the significance of the project and the commitment shown by students who chose to spend their break giving back.

Before leaving, the students signed their names on the home’s interior framing, leaving a lasting mark on a project that reflects both community collaboration and the broader goal of making homeownership more accessible.

Beyond the construction itself, the visit underscores the long-term value of the partnership—bringing together students and local volunteers in a shared effort to strengthen communities, one home at a time.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.