Meet a hero of mine

https://www.bigelowhomes.com/downloads/nboty_article.pdf

Perry Bigelow: Founder, Professional Builder of the Year, 2005, the nation’s most prestigious homebuilding award.

He has worked on several projects with Habitat for Humanity as well as Homes for Hope. One of his T shirt mottos is “Building locally to eradicate poverty globally”. They work closely with Hope International to generate micro loans in third world countries. These micro loans are primarily used by mothers to expand a very small business in to a small business, increasing the household income to such a place that the children can now afford books to attend school (which is not paid for by their government). This mother can now afford to feed her family two meals a day vs. one. Hope International has a 98% repayment on loans. These mothers link arms with 6-7 other women in their village and promise not to let anyone’s loan to not be paid back, knowing they are all at risk of not getting more loans. They have given 20,000 loans and it has impacted almost 300,000 people in third world countries

Almost 40 Years of Success

• 2019 Named #1 selling community in Kyle, Texas
• 2010 Voted Austin’s Builder of the Year
• 2009 “Best Address” feature article on Blanco River Village – Professional Builder Magazine
• 2009 “Texas Home Pioneers Green Building Breakthroughs” feature article – Professional Builder Magazine
• 2007 Crystal Key Award for Best Overall Community – Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
• 2007 Founding Member of the Advisory Panel for the National Forum on Children and Nature
• 2007 Legacy Award- Championing Better Building Performance – Energy & Environmental Building Association
• 82-2007 Many Key Awards For Architectural Design and Land Planning – HBAGC
• 2005 Public Recognition Award for Town Center Park and Ravine Park – Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
• 2005 Builder of the Year – Professional Builder Magazine
• 2005 Top 10 Eco-Communities in America – Organic Style Magazine
• 2004 1st Annual Community Vision Award – HBAGC, MPC, ULIC
• 2004 The First Recipient of the Crowbar Award – Hope International / Hope House
• 2001 Energy Value Housing Award – Cold Region National Association of Home Builders
• 1999 International Professional Service Award- Energy & Environmental Building Assoc.
• 1998 Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to Conserving Natural Resources – North Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District
• 1998 Smarter House for the Money, HomeTown’s Village Hall Plan- Professional Builder Magazine
• 1997 Energy Value Award – National Association of Home Builders
• 1995 Guest Speaker – Rocky Mountain Institute, U.S. Navy Housing Charrette, Washington DC
• 1995 Best New Community – Chicago Sun-Times
• 1994 Best Designed Townhome- Builder Magazine National Merit Award
• 1994 Chicago’s Best Affordable New Home Community- Chicago Sun-Times
• 1993 Best Energy-Efficient Home in the USA- Professional Builder Magazine
• 1993 BALA Judge – Builder Magazine
• 1993 Recognition for Community Design Innovation- Professional Builder Magazine
• 1992-1993 Adjunct Professor of Housing and Urban Development Eastern College, Graduate School of Business
• 1992 President Reagan’s Council on Sustainable Development
• 1991-1998 Energy-Efficient House of the Year – Chicago Sun-Times 
• 1991 U.S. Department of Energy Energy-Efficient Mortgage Collaborative
• 1990 Energy for Buildings and Homes – Scientific American
• 1990 Fannie Mae Midwest Regional Advisory Board
• 1990 Chicagoland Builder of the Year (second time)- Chicago Sun-Times
• 1989 Featured on This Old House & Home of the Year-Country Living Magazine
• 1987 Professional Achievement Award for Energy-Efficiency Professional Builder Magazine
• 1982 Featured on This Old House & Builder of the Year – Chicago Sun-Times