Habitat for Humanity gives Ardmore family gift of new home

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Posted: 6:50 PM Dec 18, 2008
Last Updated: 6:50 PM Dec 18, 2008
Reporter: Shelby Levins
Email Address: shelby.levins@kxii.com

9 comments

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ARDMORE, Okla. ― Habitat for Humanity admits they have run into some hurdles with one of their subdivision projects, but that wasn't slowing down the non-profit on Thursday. Shelby Levins has more.

“Home Sweet Home” are words one hardworking Texoma family hasn't been able to say for a while. But with a handful of golden shovels and a lot of volunteers, that's all about to change.

Habitat for Humanity broke ground Thursday on their newest home on the corner of M and 7th Street in Ardmore. In two to three months, the lot will hold a brand new home for Shatera Reynolds and her family.

For both Habitat for Humanity and the family, the timing couldn't be better

"We exist for one reason, and that is to build homes for worthy families. It’s been frustrating for us with our subdivision that we've been waiting to get a home built. But we are so excited to be building a home now, and especially be building a home and having this process right before Christmas,” Jack Scott with Habitat for Humanity says.

"It feels good because this is truly a blessing from God, and with Habitat’s help. It's a blessing. It’s a great Christmas present for me and my family,” soon-to-be homeowner Schantereal Reynolds says,

Habitat for Humanity says the actual home construction will begin soon.

On the Web:

To find where you can volunteer:

http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/default.aspx?r=r

To volunteer in Ardmore:

http://www.ardmorehabitatforhumanity.org/Index.asp

Or call the Ardmore offices at 580-223-1540.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 19, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Thank God I live in a country were I can be spoiled rotten.

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 19, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Free or not, I still have to pay regular mortgage rates, taxes, etc. I did not get any breaks just because I am lazy. And these bottom feeders don't put in much sweat equity, mostly just 300 hours of watching somebody else do their work. Then they trash it out in six months or less and turn it into a crime den. I won't donate to Habitat or other American hand me outs.

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Dec 19, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Well then if the houses are not free, how do I get my interest free loan? If have bad/no credit will I still get it? I have already sweated my whole life working a job and paying taxes, so the sweat equity hours are covered. Give me my interest free mortgage.

Posted by: r Location: ardmore on Dec 19, 2008 at 12:46 PM
some of the people who get these houses ARE deserving!!

Posted by: question Location: sherman on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:41 AM
So, who pays for the property taxes? If these people can't afford a house how can they afford the taxes and upkeep? Welfare? Just another thing us taxpayers are taking care of? They don't bother to keep the house nice-looking, they just let it go to pot. Habitat for Humanity is the biggest crock I've ever heard of!

Posted by: anon Location: sherman on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Sorry Red, you only get a free house if you're a low life. Give it six months and they'll have it trashed just like every other undeserving Habitat for Humanity recipient. Check out the houses that were built for the Katrina refugee's in Whitewright. Trashed out, ghetto-looking houses. Nice waste of time and money.

Posted by: ardmoreite Location: ardmore on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM
The houses are not free, the homeowner has to put in sweat equity hours and they have an affordable mortgage payment that include property taxes and insurance. The homeowner is not charged interest, just the cost of the house. For more information please visit the Habitat International website and look for your local chapter

Posted by: Melanie Location: Davis on Dec 19, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Habitat for Humanity does not provide free houses. Home owners are required to put in at least 300 hours of "sweat equity" into their own, or another, Habitat home. They are then given no-interest mortgages with small payments that are affordable. That's what makes Habitat such a great program: it is "a hand up, not a hand-out".

Posted by: Zyklon B Location: Sherman on Dec 19, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Please! I had to PAY for my own house after renting for 10 years. I don't remember living on the streets during this time. The people that get these houses are freeloaders, lazy, and a burden to society. They should be doing for THEMSELVES like I did instead of signing up for the next handout. I just got back from helping build in Central America. Those people REALLY need help. And they don't wait for a nice home, they take whatever we can scrap together and are thankful. Americans are spoiled rotten and cry about it.

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Dec 18, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Times are tough for me. Where do I sign up, I want a free house also!

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