Eight years ago, 10,000 Habitat for Humanity volunteers–including former President Jimmy Carter–converged in Jacksonville, Fla., to construct the Fairway Oaks housing community. The project, which was built on a former wasteland and financed by Hollywood celebrities, was completed in a record 17-day “blitz.” But today, some of the homeowners are complaining about the quality of construction. They say their homes reek of mildew, the walls and door frames are deteriorating, and their family members are suffering from mysterious skin rashes.

A forthcoming legal battle over Fairway Oaks threatens the reputation of a charity envied for the calibre of its celebrity supporters, who range from Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to Colin Firth, Christian Bale and Helena Bonham Carter.

The case could challenge the bedrock philosophy behind Habitat for Humanity, claiming that using volunteers, rather than professional builders, is causing as many problems as it solves.

But according to some of the other residents, the problems with the homes have less to do with shoddy construction and more to do with the lack of proper maintenance. “It’s simple stuff,” said resident Diennal Fields, 51. ”If there is mildew, don’t get a lawyer, get a bottle of bleach.”