What are Rural Housing Incentive Districts?
  • Available in Kansas since 1998
  • Created for rural communities within rural counties (population thresholds by statute)
  • Intended for counties or cities that have not seen residential growth despite best efforts of the governmental entity to encourage the same.
  • Based on four criteria:1) There is a shortage of quality housing of various price ranges despite the best efforts of public and private housing developers; 2) The shortage of quality housing can be expected to persist and additional financial incentives are necessary in order to encourage private sector to construct or renovate housing; 3) The shortage is a substantial deterrent to the future economic growth and development of the City; and 4) The future economic wellbeing of the City depends on the Governing Body providing additional incentives for the construction or renovation of quality housing in the City.
  • To form a RHID a housing study must be completed and approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
  • An approved RHID is allowed by state statute to use property assessment/taxes to pay for the cost of public infrastructure and utilities—streets, sidewalks, water, sewer, natural gas, electric.

Show All Answers

1. What are Rural Housing Incentive Districts?
2. Why are RHIDs being considered?
3. What does this proposed incentive cost current taxpayers?
4. Are there other potential costs that will increase my property taxes?
5. What about burden on, or capacity of, utility systems?
6. The City will lose out on a lot of taxes over 15 years.
7. Why is the City considering this incentive now?
8. How will the City benefit from growth?