CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Few things in life are as important as having a place to call home.

That's why a group of bike riders are leaving their homes for the next 10 weeks and traveling from Virginia Beach to Oregon to help provide affordable housing for those who need it.

Memorial Day brought the Bike & Builders group to West Virginia.

Along their cross country trip, they're raising money and awareness for affordable housing.

"Affordable housing is a huge issue across the U.S.,” group leader Sharif Morad said. “A lot of people can't afford homes right now, especially in this kind of economy, so we're just trying to help out."

Group member Sarah Graham said providing affordable housing for people would help solve many other problems in the country.

“Your house is your basis for everything else in your life,” Graham said. “Without it you don't have anything."

Throughout their journey, the bikers will stop and work with groups like Habitat for Humanity on building homes.

Monday evening the group was treated to some West Virginia hospitality at St. John's Episcopal Church in Charleston, where Manna Meal cooks prepared a big dinner.

"You see the goodness of people along the way, get to see the country in a whole new way,” Morad said. “It gives you a new perspective."

The travelers spend a couple months on the road without a home themselves, sleeping wherever they can. They spent Monday night at the church.

"It's always an interesting situation because sometimes we all fit comfortably,” Graham said, “other times we're packed in like sardines. You never really know what's gonna happen."

Members of Bike & Builders say they don’t mind sacrificing a couple months of their own lives to make a lifetime of difference for others.

"We have to ability to make change, to make a difference, and I think it's very empowering for young adults to do something like this and actually make a measurable difference," Morad said.

Bike & Builders has 250 riders total riding across the country. They'll help build affordable housing in 8 locations.