New Hope Construction

New Hope Construction, Inc was founded by W. Russell Meade in 1996. Russell grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky and although he did not personally experience poverty as a child, he witnessed first hand what poverty did to good, hardworking people who had no choice but to raise their family in living conditions not fit for human... habitation. As a young adult, Russell was able to escape the harsh living conditions of the region, and spent the next twenty-five years working for Bell South in a job that afforded his family a comfortable lifestyle, including the blessing of adequate housing. In the mid-1990's, Russell began to take stock of his life. This "crisis of conscience" led to a crossroads in his Christian faith--he could continue his management career with Bell South and ignore the housing needs he had seen as a child, or he could do something to bring hope to families who lived in sub-standard housing. Russell decided it was time to offer hope. He became an active volunteer with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, serving on the board and helping coordinate construction projects. With his engineering background and volunteer construction experience, Russell began designing house plans, experimenting with the use of floor space and building materials. He learned how to design efficient and less expensive houses, and realized that it was possible to reduce the cost of residential construction. The time had come to take a step of faith. Russell took early retirement from Bell South, did the necessary work to establish a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and in August 1996 started New Hope Construction in his home workshop. In Spring 1997, partnering with a local church group and using volunteers, New Hope produced the first house package used to help a qualified low-income family. It was an exciting and satisfying experience, and the beginning of a dream that continues. Since 1996, New Hope Construction has become the leading producer of complete, pre-framed house packages used ...Read More