U.S. Navy Veteran Family to Celebrate New Habitat Home Dedication Thursday

CUTLINE: (L-R) U.S. Navy Veteran Nathan F. and his wife, Laura F., enjoy visiting a pumpkin patch with their son, Alex H., during a recent outing. The family will celebrate their home dedication at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at their new house in Cornerstone Creek.

OKLAHOMA CITY —U.S. Navy Veteran Nathan F. served his country for nearly 10 years before selling his home and moving with his family of three from Wichita, Kansas, to Oklahoma several years ago.

Although Nathan F. and his wife, Laura F., soon found jobs, the young parents of a 12-year-old son named Alex H. found that saving enough money for a down payment on a new home was a severe challenge in today’s competitive, affordable housing market.

Fortunately, the couple applied for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) New Home Construction program and will soon move into their new Habitat home.

COHFH will host a new home dedication celebration at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at the family’s new Habitat home located at the house at 14629 Bedrock Lane in Cornerstone Creek, located in northwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (southwest corner of N.W. 150^th Street and N. Morgan Road).

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliand said that helping hard-working families like Nathan and Laura F. is core to Habitat’s Christian housing ministry’s mission in the greater Oklahoma City area.

“Habitat believes in a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to live, and we’ve built 1,105 affordable homes in Central Oklahoma since 1990,” Felton Gilliand said. “We seek to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Nathan and Laura F. partnered with us, fulfilled the requirements and helped build their own and others’ homes.

“We’re excited to help them celebrate new homeownership with other community members and local clergy.”

Nathan F. stated in Habitat’s program application that finding an affordable home in the greater Oklahoma City area had been difficult since he separated from the military.

“We currently live in an area where the crime rate is high, and as we expand our family, we’d love to be in an area that is safe,” Nathan F. stated. “The assurance that we own a home that is in good condition will help set our family’s mind at ease  and help set a steady foundation.”

Laura F. also stated her gratitude for Habitat.

“We are extremely grateful and appreciative of this opportunity,” Laura F. stated.

COHFH is one of Habitat for Humanity International’s top 10 affiliates. Applicants who wish to apply with the New Home Construction program must meet specific qualifications to be considered, including having a credit score of more than 600 and being able to get and make regular payments on an affordable mortgage. Applicants must also match the 2024 HUD annual income by family size guidelines for consideration. Let’s see if you’re ready for homeownership at Cornerstone Creek: Take this one-minute survey to see if you qualify: www.cornerstonecreek.org/cc-one-minute-survey. For more information, call 405-232-4828 or go to cohfh.org.