The dismal housing market prompted a huge contribution to Habitat for Humanity in the Minneapolis area by one of its volunteers.

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Larry Hossfeld, a retired engineer and longtime volunteer carpenter for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, just donated a house in Richfield, a Minneapolis suburb, to the organization, the Star Tribune reported Tuesday. He's been working on the house for more than a year, the Minneapolis newspaper said.

It's the biggest donation of the year for Twin Cities Habitat -- and first house ready for occupancy in more than 15 years, said Susan Haigh, local Habitat chief executive. It will be available for home buyers in March.

Hossfeld tried to sell the three-bedroom cottage, first at $250,000 then $220,000, but the housing market worked against him. Then it occurred to him to give it to his favorite charity, for which he's donated his time and skills since 1990.

"I came to think, well, why not?" Hossfeld said.

"Miracles happen small and big here, and this certainly is one of the big ones," Haigh said. "And to have it happen around Christmas is extra special."