Historically, Homes for HOPE has focused on new construction projects to generate capital for micro-loans so people living in under-served communities around the world can start or expand businesses and work to break the cycle of generational poverty. We love our builders and their trade partners and hope to continue deepening and expanding these existing relationships. We are also constantly seeking to establish new building industry partnerships and grow the impact of this strategic work.
While hosting our booth at the International Builders’ Show in January, we had a number of significant conversations with home remodelers. According to a recently published ibisworld.com report, there are no less than 132,798 remodeling businesses in the US boasting a collective $85bn in total revenue in 2019. It became apparent that the time was right to start exploring what partnering with home remodelers might look like.
Recently, we reconnected with former board member and long-time Homes for HOPE builder, Butch Sprenger of Destiny Homes in MN. As we discussed that our average micro-loan size is $200, Butch latched on to the idea of building a $200 per remodel donation into his business plan! Each remodeling project he completes will in turn invest in the dreams of an entrepreneur living in one of the world’s most under-served communities. He or she will be provided with biblically-based training, savings services, and loans that restore dignity and break the cycle of poverty! Butch exclaimed, “I’m happy to be the first remodeler to do this, and I hope it will inspire others to do better than me.” This plan also carries benefits for Butch’s customers who will know that their home remodeling project not only benefits them personally, but will also help to accelerate the end of global poverty in all its forms one family at a time.
For more information on how to get your business involved in this work, to help us brainstorm new opportunities for the building industry to fight global poverty through Homes for HOPE, or if you know someone we should be introduced to, please contact Matt Baehr.