PulteGroup debuts 2 mortgage-free homes for veterans in Hockley

PulteGroup, a national homebuilder, held a home reveal ceremony May 26 for two veterans, Army Sgt. James Ford and Army Spc. Kisha Dorsey, who received two mortgage-free homes in Hockley through the homebuilder's Built to Honor program.

“We are so proud to build not just one—but two—homes to thank both of these veterans for their courage and service to our country. Sgt. Ford and Army Spc. Dorsey both have wonderful families with children, and we are excited to welcome them to the Windrow community where they can plant new roots and thrive in this new chapter of their lives,” said Lindy Oliva, division president of PulteGroup’s Houston Division, in a February 23 news release.

The homes are next door to each other and are each 1,500 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fenced-in backyard, according to a February 23 news release from PulteGroup. The homes were done in partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit aimed at helping military families become stable and secure.

Ford was a combat engineer for the Army and lost his right leg below the knee while deployed in Afghanistan. He is pursuing his master's degree at Texas A&M University in College Station and will pursue his doctoral degree at Rice University in Houston, according to a May 23 news release from PulteGroup. Ford is a single father of two kids. He also mentors and helps fellow disabled veterans.

"This is an emotional moment. ... I don't have the words and can't express the amount of gratitude I have for this, so I just want to say thank you Operation Homefront and Pulte and all the people that were involved. We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for these wonderful people," Ford said at the May 26 event.

Dorsey served in the U.S. Army until she retired from service due to physical issues and is now a payroll administrator for Lone Star College in Houston, according to the May 23 release. Dorsey is a single mother of two kids. She said being a homeowner is a dream come true.

"I'm truly grateful and honored, and I'm so happy to be here. I'm so excited about our home and ready to be a part of this community. I just want to say thank you to everybody that is here and everybody that couldn't be here today," Dorsey said at the May 26 event.

Both Ford and Dorsey were emotional when they entered their respective homes and looked around for the first time.

Each home was completely furnished by PulteGroup, Pulte Interiors and Austin-based Four Hands along with the refrigerator, pantry and bathrooms fully stocked by H-E-B, Kristina Jones of PulteGroup said.