Habitat for Humanity CEO introduces merged Lake–McHenry affiliate, seeks build sites and volunteers

Joel Williams, president and CEO of Lake McHenry Habitat for Humanity, told the McHenry City Council on March 2 that the Lake and McHenry affiliates have merged and that the combined organization is looking for land and volunteers to expand local homebuilding and repair work.

Speaking during the council's public-comment period, Williams said the merger will create economies of scale and allow the organization to "impact more lives and serve more people" in McHenry and Lake counties. "We are currently building houses throughout both Lake and McHenry County, and we're looking for new opportunities to be able to build new houses," Williams said.

Williams described two core programs: Habitat's homeownership builds, in which the organization helps future homeowners obtain mortgages and finish construction with volunteer labor, and a growing critical home-repair program that fixes single, essential items—such as roofs or furnaces—that homeowners cannot afford. "That program is really growing a lot," he said, adding that the group is receiving state support.

Williams also promoted the local ReStore, a discount home-improvement store on Front Street that sells donated items; he said all store profits go back into building more housing. "When you are shopping there, you are also making a difference for furthering affordable housing in Lake and McHenry County," he said.

Williams closed by asking the council and residents to notify Habitat when land becomes available and to consider volunteering. He provided the organization's website (habitatlmc.org) for contact information.

The council did not take formal action on Williams' remarks; the comment was recorded during the public-comment portion of the meeting.