Thursday, June 8, 2006; Posted:

Ten Oklahoma families are receiving new homes this week, thanks to Habitat for Humanity's 2006 Home Builders Blitz.

Ann Felton, Central Oklahoma Habitat Chairman & CEO, says all of the homes built this year will go to single mothers.   She says statistics show that one out of every four mothers in Oklahoma is below the poverty level.  Habitat is hoping these new homes will help ten of those single mothers.

Several local builders are helping to build these ten homes in five days. 

Builders, like Todd Booze, of Ideal Homes, say they are happy to be able to help these families.  Booze says he's glad to be a part of an organization helping provide people with the American Dream.

Princess Loftis is one of the mother's who just received her new home.  She says it's been fun to work with Habitat for Humanity.  She says her children are very excited to move in to their new home.

Princess says her children have already tried to claim her room as their own.  She says it's exciting to have a place to raise her family.

Felton tells us each family that receives a home has put in atleast 300 sweat equity hours.  That means each new homeowner has put in 300 volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity by helping build other homes, or doing office work.

Princess says those sweat equity hours were actually fun.  She says it was fun learning how to build a home.

Each home is also equipped with a geothermal heating and cooling system, donated by Climate Master, Inc.  Dan Ellis, with the company, says the donated units will save each family about $75 a month on their heating and cooling bills.

Felton says the 2006 Home Builders Blitz will help Habitat for Humanity build a total of 52 homes this year, eleven more than in 2005.

If you would like to learn more about the Home Builders Blitz, or how to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity then click on the link below.

Watch the video.