Champaign, IL - A tent community that's been on the move since this summer needed a warm place to stay for the winter. One man helped make that possible.

Cecil Billingsley used to build custom luxury homes, but now his latest project is helping the homeless. Billingsley is part of a Christian service organization called Empty Tomb Incorporated.

He's leading people from 18 churches who are working on the renovation project at Restoration Urban Ministries so the Safe Haven Tent Community can move in soon.

“Each one of course has a bathroom in it,” said Billingsley. “They all have heating and cooling and they all have a need for hot water, so basically it's like doing 16 bathroom renovations along with 16 rooms that received new floor coverings, and paint, and new heating and cooling units.”

Safe Haven set up tents behind the Catholic Worker House in June. Living in tents is illegal in Champaign, so in August St. Mary Church opened its community center to the group.

Just three weeks ago some rooms were not livable, and not up to code, but through more than 800 hours of volunteer labor and donated items, such as beds, linens, and these towels, now 16 rooms at Restoration Urban Ministries can house up to 32 people.

“It's been an amazing outpouring and incredible experience to be part of,” said Billingsley.

Volunteers budgeted $16,000 for repairs to Restoration Urban Ministries, but the actual cost was closer to $20,000. Empty Tomb is still asking for donations to offset the expenses. If you'd like to help, call 356-2262.