The Residential Infill Construction Incentives from the City of Hutchinson can save homebuilders up to about $1,900 when building new housing on qualifying properties.

• Eligibility: To qualify for the incentives, a property must be south of 17th Avenue and already have access to water and sewer lines. There are no income or appraisal requirements for builders, buyers, or tenants, and both single-family and multi-family structures are eligible.
• Process: The property owner must apply with the Planning & Development Department, 125 E. Ave. B, within 60 days of receiving a building permit, then submit a “request for refund” within 60 days of receiving a certificate of occupancy. Eligible applicants will receive refunds of water and sewer tap fees (approximately $350-$400) and up to $1,500 in building permit fees (which is enough to completely refund the building permit for a $220,000 building).

The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan allows property owners in eligible areas to mitigate the increase in property taxes when a construction or home improvement project raises the appraised value of their property.

• Eligibility: To qualify for a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan rebate, property must be south of 11th Avenue, and a project must cost at least $7,000 and increase the appraised value of the property by 5 percent for residential property (or $20,000 and $15 percent for commercial property). Residential roofing, swimming pools, gazebos, and tennis courts are ineligible.
• Process: An application must be filed with the Planning & Development Department, 125 E. Ave. B, at the same time a building permit application is filed. Then, the applicant must schedule a pre-project appraisal with the Reno County Appraiser’s Office, (620)-694-1787. A pre-project appraisal seldom takes more than a few days to be completed after being requested. After the project is completed, a second half of the application is due. After final approval, the property will receive a property tax rebate for 10 years, with properties in the Downtown Revitalization Area receiving larger rebates, and properties on the national, state, or local historic register receiving the largest rebates.

The Down Payment Match Incentive from the City of Hutchinson provides up to $2,500 in matching funds toward down payment and closing costs on a home purchase in certain Hutchinson neighborhoods.

• Eligibility: To be eligible, an applicant must currently live in Reno County and not own a home. Funds are available for down payments on homes in the College Grove and SW Bricktown neighborhoods and Houston Whiteside Historic District.
• Process: To apply, contact Interfaith Housing & Community Services at (620) 662-8370. Applicants will be required to complete the Hutchinson Area Homebuyers Club program, which includes an eHomeAmerica Homebuyer Education Course and one homeownership counseling session. Credit counseling also is available, but not required.
• The incentive provides 40 percent of down payment and closing costs or $2,500, whichever is less. In order to receive the maximum incentive amount, a homebuyer would need to have $3,750 from other sources toward the down payment and closing.

Interfaith Housing & Community Services’ Kansas Individual Development Accounts, part of its larger Creating Assets, Savings and Hope program, assists low- and moderate-income families to save for a first-time home purchase (among other eligible uses).

• Eligibility: To qualify, a family’s income must be within certain thresholds. For a single-person household, the limit is $24,280 as of 2018; two people, $32,920; three, $41,560; four, $50,200; five, $58,840; six, $67480; seven, $76,120; and eight, $84,760. Participants must be permanent residents of Kansas and earn income from employment.
• Process: To apply or for more information, contact IDA program coordinator Rose Smyres at (620) 662-8370 ext. 710. After completing an online class about personal financial management, participants are able to open an IDA savings account. Over a minimum of six months, they can then put savings into the account, which receive a two-to-one match toward a home purchase. For an individual, the limit is $3,000 savings to receive a $6,000 match (for a total of $9,000), and for a couple, the limit is $4,000 savings to receive an $8,000 match (for a total of $12,000).

The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan allows property owners in eligible areas to mitigate the increase in property taxes when a construction or home improvement project raises the appraised value of their property.

• Eligibility: To qualify for a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan rebate, property must be south of 11th Avenue, and a project must cost at least $7,000 and increase the appraised value of the property by 5 percent for residential property (or $20,000 and $15 percent for commercial property). Residential roofing, swimming pools, gazebos, and tennis courts are ineligible.
• Process: An application must be filed with the Planning & Development Department, 125 E. Ave. B, at the same time a building permit application is filed. Then, the applicant must schedule a pre-project appraisal with the Reno County Appraiser’s Office, (620)-694-1787. A pre-project appraisal seldom takes more than a few days to be completed after being requested. After the project is completed, a second half of the application is due. After final approval, the property will receive a property tax rebate for 10 years, with properties in the Downtown Revitalization Area receiving larger rebates, and properties on the national, state, or local historic register receiving the largest rebates.

Zero-Interest Home Improvement Loans via the city and Peoples Bank and Trust can help residents of eligible neighborhoods more affordably make improvements to their homes.

• Eligibility: Residents in the College Grove, Farmington Park, and SW Bricktown Neighborhoods and the Houston Whiteside Historic District can qualify. There are no income limits, but participants must be able to qualify for a loan, which can be up to $15,000. Certain home improvement projects, such as swimming pools, do not qualify for the program.
• Process: Inquire with Peoples Bank and Trust, 601 E. 30th Ave.

The Brush Up Hutch! Paint Program from the City of Hutchinson provides up to $500 reimbursement to paint eligible owner-occupied homes.

• Eligibility: Applicants must own and live in the house to be painted. Homes appraised at $50,000 or less by the Reno County Appraiser’s Office are eligible, or applicants can qualify based on income. The income limit for a one-person household is $48,150; two people, $55,050; three, $61,950; four, $68,775; five, $74,325; six, $79,800; seven, $85,350; and eight or more, $90,825.
• Process: Homeowners must apply with the city Planning & Development Department, 125 E. Ave. B, before beginning the painting project. If approved, the applicant has 90 days to complete the painting project. When it is completed, the applicant needs to provide receipts for the purchase of paint to be reimbursed.