MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hutchinson leaders say the city is doubling down on its commitment to expand housing options, spur neighborhood revitalization, and make homeownership more affordable. Mayor Stacy Goss and Carissa Paxton, the city’s housing coordinator, joined BW Morning Show to discuss the latest progress and tools being used to attract developers and homeowners alike.
Housing Drives Everything
Mayor Goss said housing remains the city’s most critical issue — one that directly affects economic development, workforce growth, and even local retail opportunities.
“When a company looks at Hutch or any community, one of the first questions they ask is, ‘Where will our employees live?’” Goss said. “Having available, affordable housing isn’t just a need — it’s a key economic driver.”
Incentives Fueling New Development
Paxton detailed several major initiatives reshaping Hutchinson’s housing landscape, including the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) — a state tax tool recently expanded to include communities like Hutchinson.
Projects such as Landmark, Plum Creek, and now the Hayes Street development have all been made possible through RHID financing, which allows the city to fund infrastructure like roads and utilities upfront. Developers repay those costs over time using the property’s increased tax value, rather than passing special assessments onto future homeowners.
“This approach keeps housing affordable for families,” Paxton said. “It’s a win for developers and buyers alike.”
The 36th and Monroe housing project will also use the RHID model, Paxton said. The city is working on that now.
Layering State Grants
The city is also pursuing Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grants, which provide up to $650,000 to lower construction costs on single-family or rental units. Paxton said the city’s goal is to “layer” MIH funding with RHID financing to make projects financially viable and sustainable.
Two developers had applied for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for apartment complexes last year, though neither project received funding approval from the State of Kansas. Paxton said one developer plans to reapply with the city’s support in 2026.
Revitalizing Neighborhoods One Lot at a Time
Another focus for the city remains revitalizing older neighborhoods through infill development. The Hutchinson Land Bank, in partnership with Interfaith Housing, is helping remove blighted properties and make lots available for new homes.
Residents who donate abandoned properties to Interfaith can receive a tax write-off, while developers who build on Land Bank lots can take advantage of waived building permits, water and sewer tap fees, and small startup incentives.
"We have a little bit of startup money if you need help with soft costs, things like that, because we really want to see our south end of Hutchinson neighborhoods revitalized, and the best way to do that is little bits of new construction, just one house at a time," Paxton added.
Among those projects: a collaboration with Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy and Hutchinson Community College, whose building trades students are constructing pair duplexes in the Houston Whiteside District.
"So, they've adjusted our pre-approved plans," said Paxton. "That's another incentive. We have free housing plans for developing on infill lots. They've adjusted our duplex plan to be more historic in character, and so it will fit in really well with the historical homes around it.
Pre-Approved Plans and Owner Incentives
Those pre-approved housing plans, available for free on the city’s website, help streamline construction for both developers and individuals.
Homeowners who invest in properties south of 11th Street can also take advantage of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) — a tax rebate that refunds property owners up to 100% of the increased property taxes from improvements for up to 10 years.
“If you sell your home, the new owner keeps that benefit,” Paxton said. “It’s one of the best tools to encourage investment in older neighborhoods.”
Exploring Innovative Construction
The city is also looking at new housing technologies, including structurally insulated panels (SIPs) — the pre-manufactured materials used in New Beginnings’ two small “tiny home” builds earlier this year.
“These panels are strong, energy-efficient, and even tornado-resistant,” Goss said. “We’re exploring code changes that would make it easier to use SIPs for full-sized homes or accessory dwelling units.”
A Collaborative Approach
Goss said the city’s housing progress reflects the results of collaboration between government, education, and nonprofits.
“We’re taking a proactive approach — aligning incentives, zoning, and infrastructure with what developers and families need,” Goss said. “Our goal is to make Hutchinson not just a place where people work, but where they want to live.”