‘One plus one equals three’: Habitat for Humanity groups in Lake, McHenry counties to merge

Two familiar nonprofits known for providing housing and services in the suburbs are merging to create a new organization.

After more than three decades as separate entities, the Habitat for Humanity affiliates for Lake and McHenry counties will become a single organization Jan 1. It’s a pairing that will allow them to capitalize on economies of scale, pool expertise and resources, pursue more ambitious projects and serve more communities, organizers say.

“This is a merger of two strong organizations,” said Joel Williams, who heads the Lake County affiliate and will become president and CEO of the new combined entity.

“We're looking at this as a one plus one equals three perspective.”

Sara Davis, director of community operations for the McHenry County affiliate, will become associate director of Lake-McHenry Habitat.

“There are a lot of separate affiliates in the area and we're all on the same mission,” she said. “We're just going to have a lot more opportunities to get involved (and) to expand awareness of what we are and what we do.”

The organization perhaps is best known for building homes for families in need. Selection criteria includes the ability to repay a small loan or mortgage and willingness to participate in the building process.

The McHenry County affiliate builds about seven homes a year, according to Davis, and hopes to increase that number.

“With the power of Lake County we can at least double that if not more,” she said.

An example of sharing resources will be the introduction in Lake County of the critical care home repair program, which has been successful in McHenry County. The idea is to preserve housing that already is safe and affordable.

“Maybe it's a leaking roof (or) repairing a furnace,” Williams said. “We are hoping to leverage that expertise and experience to bring to Lake County.

“There's definitely plenty of demand,” he added

Another element to be expanded is the third-party mortgage model, which provides upfront funds from a sale to be used to build a new home. The method has been in use in McHenry County for eight years and was used for the first time earlier this month in Lake County.

Combining the two organizations has been in the works for some time with the planned retirement Wednesday of Jerry Monica, president and CEO of Habitat McHenry County. Rather than search for a replacement, the organization’s board decided to explore a merger.

“Combining those strengths is going to result in an impact,” Williams said.

A location in Lake County also is being sought to reintroduce a Habitat ReStore retail outlet that closed earlier this year. There currently are outlets in Woodstock and McHenry.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 and championed by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, after he left office. The couple since 1984 were among its most famous volunteers and ambassadors.