A pair of sleek, compact homes is taking shape just off Main Street, but this isn’t your average housing development. It’s part of a bold, community-driven initiative to tackle Hutchinson’s housing shortage, revitalize aging neighborhoods, and provide affordable homeownership pathways — all while training workers for skilled jobs.
The "Small Homes Project," spearheaded by New Beginnings, is the latest effort to address rising housing needs in the city. The project focuses on building 588-square-foot homes — not quite "tiny homes" but deliberately smaller and more efficient than standard houses — on vacant lots with existing infrastructure.
“We need more housing, period,” said Shara Gonzales the CEO of New Beginnings. “Hutchinson has a long waiting list for affordable apartments, and we wanted to find a way to build density, reuse what’s already here, and create real opportunities for people trying to move out of poverty.”
The homes are built using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) — a construction method known for its energy efficiency and speed. The prefabricated panels include insulation and electrical wiring, are cut to design specs at a factory, and assembled on-site. "They’re like a giant puzzle," Gonzales explained. “The first ones went up in just two days.”
But the vision extends beyond construction. The project is also a job-training platform. Through a transitional jobs program, local residents are learning how to assemble and finish the homes — gaining valuable skills in the building trades.
Another innovative twist: the homes are sold, but the land beneath them is not. The land is held in a trust — a model used in other cities to preserve long-term affordability. Residents buy the home, but lease the land. That keeps initial costs low and allows the land trust to maintain the property and provide services like maintenance.
“It’s a triple win,” Gonzales says. “Residents gain a stake in their neighborhood and a voice in how it evolves. Homes remain affordable for future buyers. And the land stays in good condition, supporting a vibrant, sustainable community.”
When a homeowner is ready to move, the trust repurchases the home, makes necessary updates, and resells it at a price within reach of the next buyer. The idea is to create a cycle of opportunity, not just a one-time fix.
While this pair of homes near 8th and Main serves as a test site, future plans are already in motion — including the potential to manufacture SIP panels locally, further reducing costs and expanding the training program.
“It’s not just about a house,” said Gonzales. “It’s about giving people a pathway, a neighborhood, a future. That’s the real foundation we’re building.”
If you have questions, or would like more information about this project you can contact New Beginnings at 620-663-2200.