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McPherson Offers $5,000 to New Homebuyers in Revamped Relocation Program

City eliminates employer-matching requirement, opens direct assistance to attract new residents

Molli Fawl

31 Oct 2025 • 2 min read

The City of McPherson has restructured its relocation assistance program to offer $5,000 in direct closing cost assistance to new residents purchasing homes within city limits. The recently approved changes eliminate the previous employer-matching requirement that had been in place since the program's inception in 2018, allowing applicants to simply apply and receive funds at closing. "We'll put the $5,000 in for the down payment at closing and can go from there," said McPherson Mayor Thomas Brown, noting the program particularly benefits entry-level workers and teachers transitioning from renting to homeownership.

To qualify, applicants cannot have owned property within McPherson city limits for at least 36 months prior to application. The city has allocated $50,000 annually for the program, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis with potential for adjustments based on demand. Julie Wenthe of Sheets-Adams Realtors emphasized the program's impact on affordability, stating the grants help buyers avoid out-of-pocket closing costs while strengthening the community. "It's a win for the industry, it's a win for the city, it's a win for the person buying the house," Brown said. The relocation assistance complements McPherson's existing new construction homebuyer incentive program and moderate-income housing grants.