Housing

A Community We Can All Come Home To

Creating Housing Solutions for a Stronger Hutchinson and Reno County

A 3-Year Initiative

To learn more or make a gift, contact Aubrey Patterson, CEO, Hutchinson Community Foundation

P 620-663-5293
E aubrey@hutchcf.org

Donate Now

Hutchinson and Reno County are facing a quiet crisis:

we don’t have enough homes for the people who want to live here.

You may have heard there’s a housing shortage. But what you might not know is just how deep it goes—and how much it affects our future.

45% of renters in Hutchinson are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

More than 1,100 housing units—of all types and price points—are needed to meet current demand and projected growth through 2035.

Employers are losing interested potential workers because they can’t find housing.

Young professionals and families are leaving or choosing not to come at all.

When people can’t find homes, the whole community pays the price.

View Housing Needs Assessment

Our Opportunity

A Home for Every Neighbor

At Hutchinson Community Foundation, we believe a safe, affordable home is foundational—not just for individuals and families, but for the health of our entire community.

We’ve been listening closely to local leaders, housing providers, developers, employers, and residents. What’s needed isn’t one solution—it’s a system of approaches.

That’s why, in collaboration with the City of Hutchinson, Reno County, Interfaith Housing and Community Services, New Beginnings, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, SCKEDD, local contractors, and dozens of committed nonprofits, we’ve designed a bold, flexible housing investment strategy that:

Sparks infill development and renovation of vacant properties
Creates new affordable housing for seniors, young professionals, and Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families
Strengthens trusted local nonprofit housing organizations
Removes common barriers to development
Preserves affordability for generations to come

Our Community Has Already Accomplished a Lot—Together

Through $5.1 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and the dedication of local partners, our community has already made powerful progress over the past few years.

217 homeowner renovations completed by Interfaith Housing & SCKEDD

224 Brush Up Hutch projects (up from 5), revitalizing homes across Reno County

Demolition of the former St. Elizabeth Hospital, led by Interfaith Housing, clearing land for 14–20 new homes

Small Homes Project by New Beginnings, building energy-efficient homes and providing job training

$2.1 million injected into the local economy, paid to over 40 local contractors and vendors

These successes prove we’re not starting from scratch. We’re standing on strong ground.

Now it’s time to build.

Megan Hamby: Rebuilding After Two Fires

After surviving two house fires in less than a year, Megan Hamby and her four children faced a daunting recovery.

The Scott Family: Turning Sweat Equity into Homeownership

Courtney and Jairus Scott dreamed of owning a home for their growing family—but financial barriers made that dream seem out of reach.

St. Elizabeth Redevelopment: From Blight to Bright Future

Once a crumbling symbol of the past, the former St. Elizabeth Hospital site is now a cornerstone of Hutchinson’s housing future.

Hutchinson Community Foundation’s Role: Laying the Foundation

We are not housing developers. But we are strategic investors, conveners, and trusted community stewards. And that makes our role essential.

Hutch CF is helping to build the housing ecosystem in Reno County by:

Creating a 3-Year Housing Initiative Fund to provide capital where it’s most needed

Administering flexible grants and loans to activate projects that align with our long-term vision

Supporting the creation of a Community Land Trust to preserve affordability over generations

Bringing together private, public, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders to work in concert—not in silos

What We’re Funding—and Why It Matters

Our goal is to raise $1.37 million and deploy $2.46 million in grants and low-interest loans between now and 2028 to support existing programs and new ones implemented by our community partners.

Grants to Trusted Nonprofit Partners

$1,370,000

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LOCAL HOUSING NONPROFITS

Supports staff, systems, and programs at Interfaith Housing, New Beginnings, and others.

HOUSING PROGRAMS & NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES

Includes downpayment assistance for ALICE families and renovation of homes in targeted neighborhoods.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST DEVELOPMENT

Establishes a permanent structure for maintaining affordability for working families.

Learn More

Loans to Small-Scale Developers

$1,370,000

PRE-DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Covers architectural plans, soil studies, and permits for local developers.

DOWNTOWN CODE MITIGATION

Unlocks upper-floor living in at least 3–4 buildings by addressing costly fire, electrical and other code barriers.

WORKING CAPITAL FOR SMALL-SCALE BUILDERS

Up to $50,000 per loan for infill housing developers.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCING (LIHTC PROJECTS)

Helps close funding gaps for up to 48 units of affordable housing.

Be a Part of the Solution

With your financial support, we can make Hutchinson a place where:

• Seniors can enjoy high-quality, affordable homes

• Young professionals can return and stay

• Builders can build

• Families can thrive

WHAT YOU CAN GIVE

We’ll work with you—and your advisors—to determine the most tax-advantageous way to make your gift. Many donors are surprised to learn that giving non-cash assets can increase their impact while reducing their tax burden.

Here are just a few of the options:

Cash

Grant from Donor Advised Fund

Grain or Livestock

Real Estate

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs (for those 70½+)

Appreciated Stock or Mutual Funds

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT: MATCHING FUNDS

We’re thrilled to announce a $650,000 matching opportunity from the following generous donors:

Dee & David Dillon
Walter E. & Velma G. Justice Foundation
The Krause family

For every dollar you give, this match will double the speed and scale of this critical work.

If you’ve ever considered making a high-impact gift to shape the future of Hutchinson, this is your moment.