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Providence Gives HOPE a $100,000 Hand

A Florida home builder, Jacksonville-based Providence Homes by Bill Cellar, recently partnered with the nonprofit organization, HOPE International, to raise $100,000 for the poor in underdeveloped countries to develop small businesses and rebuild their lives. The money was raised through the “House for HOPE” program in which proceeds from a home’s sale was donated to HOPE International.

HOPE International, of Lancaster, PA, provides micro-enterprise loans to the poor in underdeveloped countries, usually women with children who have been widowed or abandoned by war or devastation. Most of the loans, generally in amounts of $100-$500, are used by recipients to develop businesses such as selling shoes or vegetables in an open market or purchasing sheep or pigs for livestock. Nearly all HOPE loans are repaid, averaging a 99% repayment rate. To date, HOPE International has issued more than $5 million in micro-loans.

Seed money for the micro-loans comes in part from proceeds from the faith-based nonprofit’s “House for HOPE” program, in which a home builder builds a house with assistance from subcontractors and suppliers that donate time, labor and materials to reduce the building costs. Profits from the sale of the home go to HOPE.

The “House for HOPE” home built by Providence Homes by Bill Cellar was a 3,164-square foot, five-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the exclusive River Hills at Fleming Island Plantation community in the Jacksonville area. It was the first project of its kind by any Florida-based home builder, according to HOPE International, and the proceeds are expected to help as many as 20,000 people during the next 10 years. Twenty-four contractors and vendors donated their services on the "House of HOPE" project.

HOPE praised Providence Homes’ president and CEO, Bill Cellar, for his commitment, assistance and concern for mankind.

“The leadership and teamwork that Providence Homes has exhibited as the first home builder in Florida to construct a ‘House for HOPE’ has set a new level of support and compassion to which every home builder in the country should aspire,” said Jeff Rutt, founder of HOPE International and a two-time recipient of NAHB's America’s Best Builder Award.

Founded nearly 12 years ago, Providence Homes builds an average of more than 200 new homes worth more than $50 million in revenues annually in North Florida’s most popular and exclusive communities. Providence Homes is currently building homes in more than 12 communities in North Florida, ranging in price from the mid-$100s to more than $500,000.

Providence Homes has been a recipient of numerous Parade of Homes Awards for design excellence and was recognized twice by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 500 fastest growing companies in America. The Jacksonville Business Journal has consistently ranked Providence Homes on their Top 50 Fastest Growing Businesses. Cellar is a member of the board of directors of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.

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