CUTLINE: New Central Oklahoma Habitat Homeowner Austin N. enjoyed his home dedication just in time for Halloween on Oct. 31, 2024, when it was held at his house in Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City.

Home: ‘Where Dreams and Prayers Meet’

When Austin N. applied to become a Habitat homeowner, he explained how his children grew up during the last 10 years, responding “like well-trained soldiers” who’d move into safe positions after hearing gunshots in the middle of the night outside their apartment.

“Habitat is the joining clasp where my dreams and prayers meet to provide a reality for us that I never thought possible,” he stated. “I am finally able to have a home base for my kids … we can build our memories and traditions from a truly stable location we can call our own.”

On Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, Austin and one of his four adult children celebrated with Central Oklahoma Habitat as the nonprofit held a home dedication in his his safe, secure, and energy-efficient Habitat home in Cornerstone Creek, located in far northwest Oklahoma City.

After the celebration, Austin said that after living in a “really bad area” for 10 years with his four children, where “every day you wish you were somewhere else,” his new home is located somewhere safe and clean for his family.

“This is more than I could have imagined,” Austin said. “I (am)… realizing it is much nicer than I could have imagined.”