2008 Devon Energy House
Devon Energy
Devon Energy hands off two new “green” homes to Central OK Habitat for Humanity homebuyers
Two LEED-certified energy efficient homes built over three weeks
OKLAHOMA CITY - On Friday, October 2, employees of Devon Energy Corporation celebrated successful completion of two new homes in three-week “blitz builds” with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, exactly one year after building their first. Company employees volunteered together to build both homes for two limited income families in need of better, more affordable housing.
The homes in are located in the housing ministry’s new neighborhood, Hope Crossing, at NE 83rd Street and Kelley Avenue and were built to LEED standards of energy efficiency to maximize affordability for their new owners. Low energy bills, combined with affordable zero-interest Habitat mortgage payments, will make poverty housing a thing of the past for both families.
Rocky and Comfort C., along with 17-year-old daughter, RichardLyn, and 6-year-old son, Cyril, made Oklahoma their home after winning selection in 2007 for exit visas to leave their native Liberia after years of civil war to come to the United States. Both parents are college graduates with degrees in science and sociology, respectively. Mrs. Cooper is now continuing her studies in radiology to become certified as a technician, and Mr. Cooper is serving as a deputy county court clerk. The family is very excited about owning their own home in Oklahoma. “We are grateful for the opportunity it will afford us to concentrate on future goals.”
Carol S. and her son, Donald, who is wheelchair-dependent, have really struggled to find affordable housing that is accessible for Donald. Thanks to a fighting spirit and willingness to work hard and Habitat’s partnership with Devon, mother and son are now looking forward to life in a healthier, more manageable home through Habitat. “We are very happy about our new neighborhood and being a part of building a strong community spirit.”
Central Oklahoma Habitat received a $70,000 grant from Devon - the second in two years - that made purchase of materials and contract labor possible for Rocky and Comfort’s home. So many Devon staff participated in the project that they were able to build both Carol and Donnie’s home next door at the same time.
“Devon’s tremendous support has gone such a long way to help us meet our goal of building 45 homes for 45 limited income families this year,” said Ann Felton, chairman and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. “These two homes represent just one of the ways Devon is stimulating economic growth and health in our city and state. I gratefully thank them for their wonderful corporate citizenship and their kind concern for our community as a whole.”
