Mike Haas joins the NeighborWorks Capital team as our newest Senior Loan Officer. Prior to joining NC, Mike managed the Affordable and Special Needs Housing program at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Mike also spent several years with SERCAP, working with for-profits, nonprofits, and local governments/housing authorities in rural communities to discuss the need for affordable housing, infrastructure (especially water/wastewater), and energy-efficiency improvements. Mike holds a BA from The Citadel in Charleston, SC.
What keeps you interested in Community Development finance?
The diversity of the people and communities that I serve. Growing up in the Appalachians of Southwest Virginia, I’ve witnessed the tremendous impact community-based investment can have on rural communities. My current and previous experiences have given me the opportunity to live and work in both rural and metropolitan areas. From those experiences, I have found that while different communities often face similar challenges the need for solutions is always best approached on an individual basis for that community and organization. NeighborWorks Capital, which operates as a CDFI, provides the often-needed agility and resources to both large and small NeighborWorks Organization members in any setting from rural to metropolitan to strategize community-need-based approaches to any multitude of challenges present in their communities.
What is your personal mission? How will your work with NeighborWorks Capital advance that?
To always take on the tough stuff, to approach those challenges positively, and to learn as much as I can from the project and pass on that learned experience to the next challenge. I am interested in learning about the challenges faced by NWOs and what approaches are being taken on a local, state, or national level. Being part of NeighborWorks Capital extends my capacity to work with NWOs more closely, to get an understanding of their needs, and to learn about their approaches to projects they’re undertaking. I’m excited to help contribute to the NeighborWorks network with my past work experience in affordable housing, health care, and other community resources.
What drew you to NeighborWorks Capital?
In my career in community development finance, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with several NeighborWorks member organizations. Those members have shown an impressive level of dedication to the mission of strengthening local communities. NeighborWorks Capital is in a unique position in that it offers financial solutions and flexibility that aren’t typically accessible, available, or understood in mainstream commercial banking. Overall, the chance to work with and learn from the wealth of knowledge and resourcefulness of NeighborWorks members and the NeighborWorks Capital staff is valuable for my own personal and professional growth.
