HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson’s housing commission will take action on a proposed incentive program that they hope will entice residents in some areas of the city to make major home improvements. Action on the proposal could come during their commission’s next meeting Dec. 21.

During the 2017 Annual Budget process, City Council approved allocating $70,000 for Housing Initiatives. City Council requested the Housing Commission develop strategies as part of the process, resulting in the Housing Commission recommending two new incentives for feature neighborhoods and the City’s residential historic district in 2017.

The first strategy – Down Payment Match Program – was approved by the Commission in October and City Council in November. The second recommended initiative is a zero interest home repair loan program, with a maximum expenditure of $35,000. The incentive will assist current property owners in the two feature neighborhoods and the residential historic district by providing a zero-interest loan to make home repairs and updates.

To qualify the homeowner must live in the SW Bricktown, College Grove or the Houston Whiteside Historic districts, The maximum interest amount per loan can not exceed $2,500, there are no income restrictions and homeowners and landlords are both eligible for the program. If approved the funding could make improvements to between 15 and 25 homes.

Staff proposes partnering with Peoples Bank and Trust as the loan holder for all Zero Interest Home Repair Loans.

Staff is recommending approval of the program, and if so the matter would then go before the City Council..