Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity works to make safe, healthy and affordable housing accessible to everyone
By Mimi Vanderhaven
What if everyone in Lake and Geauga Counties had a safe, healthy and affordable place to call home? Meet Michael Barb, executive director of Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity (LGHFH). Michael and his staff begin each day asking themselves this question and then get busy doing the work to make their vision a reality. Mimi sat down with Michael to learn more about his role and this worthwhile organization.
Mimi: Michael, what prepared you for your role as executive director of LGHFH?
Michael: Before arriving here in April, I served with Habitat for Humanity in Baltimore for eight years, holding just about every position there. Prior to Habitat, I worked in the financial services industry for more than 10 years. My background is a combination of sales and marketing and non-profit experience.
Mimi: What do you see as the role of LGHFH in the community?
Michael: We should be among the leading advocates for affordable housing in Lake and Geauga Counties and work to change the narrative about what affordable housing is and what it is not. We should lead the conversation about work-force housing. There are many businesses with employees who cannot afford to live close to their jobs.
Mimi: What would you like people to know about Habitat for Humanity that they may not know?
Michael: Some think President Jimmy Carter started Habitat for Humanity, but it began at a place called Koinonia Farm in Georgia. Habitat was built on the idea of providing partnership housing where volunteers work side by side with those in need to build decent and affordable homes.
Other myths exist, like that Habitat gives people a house for free. In fact, Habitat homeowners pay a mortgage just as if they had a conventional bank loan. It’s just that our program provides the loan at zero-interest. We invite the community to be a part of our efforts and witness first-hand that Habitat homeowners are just like them.
Mimi: What are your specific goals for LGHFH?
Michael: We’ve completed 96 homes to date and in honor of that have created an initiative, “100th Home & Beyond—Be a Part of Our Story.” Our goal is to raise $1.2 million over the next two years to build five homes, getting us to our 100th home—and beyond. We’re also relaunching our Repair Program and plan to significantly increase the number of home repairs we complete every year.
Mimi: Tell us about your goal of sharing the human side of LGHFH stories.
Michael: Habitat is deeply rooted in the spirit of fellowship. The idea is simple. We are going to build a house with you and your payment will go into a fund used to build a house with someone else, and so on. Underlying that idea is the desire to “love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of the “why.” We must continue to ask ourselves “who is my neighbor?” Telling the stories about our homeowners reminds us of who our neighbors are and invites everyone to be part of that story.
Mimi: What do you love most about your job?
Michael: I feel a deep connection with the people who started Habitat. I believe we are all one tribe and I love being a part of that story.
Mimi: What would you like readers to know about you?
Michael: I’m a huge U2 fan and, don’t run me out of town, but I’m a Ravens fan and my favorite color is purple.
Mimi: Whether you bleed purple and black or brown and orange, Michael invites you to join LGHFH’s goal of creating communities where people live safely, affordably and support each other as neighbors.
For more information on Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity and how you can be a part of the story, call 440-226-3000 and check them out online at Lake-GeaugaHabitat.org.