ALCOA, Tenn. — Habitat for Humanity says the increasing cost of lumber hurts its philanthropic efforts.
They said the cost of lumber has risen 250 percent because of the short supply.
The average cost of a home has gone up by $36,000.
Habitat For Humanity said the need for affordable housing has also taken a hit.
The group said it needs sponsors to continue building homes.
"Crazy, I've been in construction for 50 years, never seen anything like it. this soap floor normally $26 a sheet, it's triple the cost. and we actually couldn't get it, we've been waiting on it for 3 or 4 weeks, we finally got it about a week ago," Doug Jenkins said.
On Monday, Habitat officially kicked off construction on a home in Alcoa.