MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The construction crew was a little unlikely for a wall-raising ceremony in Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood Wednesday, April 7.

Mayor Barrett and other leaders did the honors, to mark the start of a new housing project. 

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is teaming up with Bader Philanthropies to build more than 80 new, affordable homes for people in the neighborhood to buy.

Habitat Director Brian Sonderman calls home ownership a "game changer" when it comes to creating wealth.

"We're accepting applications for homes just like this one," Sonderman said. "And so we invite you to join with us in declaring today that hope is here and a longing for homeownership can be fulfilled in this neighborhood."

The goal is to have those 80 new homes built over the next four years.