U.S. Navy Veteran and Family ‘Love Everything’ About New Home

U.S. Navy veteran Nathan F. served his country for nearly 10 years. Several years before his October 2024 home dedication, he sold his home and moved with his wife, Laura F., and their family from Wichita, Kansas, to Oklahoma.

Although Nathan and Laura soon found jobs, they discovered that purchasing an affordable home was difficult amid high housing costs.

The couple applied to purchase a home through Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) New Home Construction program. On Oct. 24, 2024, they celebrated purchasing a new, energy-efficient and affordable home in Cornerstone Creek, COHFH’s then-newest and largest affordable housing development in far northwest Oklahoma City.

In his program application, Nathan wrote that finding an affordable home had been difficult since he separated from the military.

“As we expand our family, we’d love to be in a safe area,” Nathan wrote. “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.”

After their home dedication, Nathan and Laura said their favorite parts of participating in the Habitat program included helping frame their future home and volunteering through COHFH’s Critical Home Repair program.

“Through Critical Home Repair, we helped others in similar yet different situations from our own,” Nathan said. “Helping those in need was rewarding, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. We also enjoyed working with the other Habitat families here at Cornerstone Creek — there’s a nice community feel here.”

Nathan also said he appreciated the opportunity to participate in the New Home Construction program, including selecting the home’s brick pattern and colors.

“We love everything about it,” Nathan said. “It has been a very wonderful experience, and we’ve had a lot of support.”