Hutchinson Launches Innovative Small Homes Project to Address Housing Shortage
June 13, 2025
A pair of compact, 588-square-foot homes taking shape near 8th and Main Street represent more than just new construction — they're the cornerstone of an ambitious community initiative designed to tackle the city's housing crisis while training workers for skilled trades.
The "Small Homes Project," led by New Beginnings, addresses multiple challenges simultaneously: providing affordable homeownership opportunities, revitalizing neighborhoods with existing infrastructure, and creating pathways out of poverty through job training. The homes utilize Structurally Insulated Panels, a construction method that allows rapid assembly — the first units were erected in just two days.
"We need more housing, period," said Shara Gonzales, 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 project employs an innovative land trust model where residents purchase the home but lease the land beneath it. When homeowners are ready to move, the trust repurchases the property, updates it as needed, and resells it at an affordable price to the next buyer. This approach maintains long-term affordability while giving residents equity in their homes and a voice in neighborhood development.
Beyond construction, the initiative serves as a job-training platform through a transitional jobs program that teaches local residents building trades skills. Future plans include potentially manufacturing the prefabricated panels locally, which would further reduce costs and expand training opportunities.
"It's not just about a house," Gonzales said. "It's about giving people a pathway, a neighborhood, a future. That's the real foundation we're building."
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