By Davi Stuhlsatz

HAYSVILLE – Home incentives programs to encourage growth are being utilized, reports the city economic development director.

The “Haysville Gold Star New Home Initiative” to encourage construction of up to 100 new homes began April 1 and runs through December 31.

“We’ve had 54 residential lots entered into the program, and four contracts working for home building,” said David New, economic development director. 

The program provides a rebate of the city portion of property taxes for a five-year period and up to $3,500 in closing cost assistance (depending on the value of the home) to help prospective home buyers purchase a new home.

Property owners had until May 31 to get current on their property taxes through 2010 in order for their lots to be entered into the program.

An additional incentive program offers $1,000 closing cost assistance to buyers of existing single-family, owner-occupied homes in Haysville.

“The incentive program for sales of existing homes is for the first 25 who apply,” said New. “We’ve already had 13 take advantage of this offer.”