New Central Oklahoma Habitat homeowner, Jeff V., poses with his girlfriend, Sam, daughter and son, his mother, Ann Felton Gilliland, chair/CEO, COHFH, (far left) and COHFH Board Member Erica Hollis (far right), during his home dedication in Cornerstone Creek.

Jeff V.

Father of Two Trades Housing Worries for Backyard Campouts

For Jeffrey V., homeownership came with a simple but meaningful bonus: the freedom to pitch a tent in his own backyard whenever his children want to go camping.

Jeff, a divorced father of two, celebrated the dedication of his new, energy-efficient and affordable Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) home on Jan. 8, 2026, at Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City.

New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowner Jeff V. displays an engraved Habitat cutting board presented during his Jan. 8, 2026, home dedication at Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City. COHFH board member Dean Riddell and SWBC Mortgage donated the cutting board. Other housewarming gifts were provided by OnCue, COHFH ReStores and the Edmond Board of REALTORS. Members of the Daughters of the King at All Souls’ Episcopal Church also presented Jeff with an engraved Bible.

New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowner Jeff V. displays an engraved Habitat cutting board presented during his Jan. 8, 2026, home dedication at Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City. COHFH board member Dean Riddell and SWBC Mortgage donated the cutting board. Other housewarming gifts were provided by OnCue, COHFH ReStores and the Edmond Board of REALTORS. Members of the Daughters of the King at All Souls’ Episcopal Church also presented Jeff with an engraved Bible.

As a project management assistant at Chloeta, Jeff supports emergency management and disaster-recovery projects. Despite working hard to support his family, he said rising housing costs had made finding a suitable, affordable home extremely difficult.

Location was also important. Jeff wanted his children to live closer to their school and their mother’s neighborhood.

“Cornerstone Creek is connected to the kids’ school district and to their mom’s neighborhood,” Jeff wrote in his New Home Construction program application. “They’ll be able to ride to school instead of waking up early to drive far.”

Jeff was also ready to leave behind inadequate air conditioning, noisy parties next door and the frequent turnover at a nearby short-term rental. His Habitat home offered his family greater peace, predictability and financial security.

“A Habitat house takes away the constant worry of rising rent, unsafe conditions or the risk of having to move from place to place,” Jeff stated. “Financially, it will allow me to plan better for my children’s future, save for emergencies and build equity in something that truly belongs to us.”

Jeff said his long-term goal is to create greater financial stability for his family through homeownership. His house marked the 1,153rd home built by COHFH since 1990.

The new home also gives Jeff and his children more opportunities to enjoy one of their favorite family activities.

“We love to go camping, and having a backyard means we can set up a tent anytime we want,” Jeff said.

New Central Oklahoma Habitat homeowner, Jeff V., poses with his girlfriend, Samantha (far right, first row), Jeff’s children, Avery V., 7, and Elliot, 9, Jeff’s mother (back row, third from left), COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland (far left, back row) and COHFH Board Member Erica Hollis (far right, back row). Jeff is a fleet and asset manager with Chloeta, where he helps support emergency management and disaster recovery projects.

Jeff and family

New Central Oklahoma Habitat homeowner Jeff V. (back row, center) poses with family members and COHFH representatives during his Jan. 8, 2026, home dedication at Cornerstone Creek in Oklahoma City. Pictured are Jeff’s girlfriend, Samantha (front row, far right); his children, Avery V., 7, and Elliot, 9; his mother (back row, third from left); COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland (back row, far left); and COHFH board member Erica Hollis (back row, far right).