News:
Posted Jun 01, 2025 6:00 AM Hutch Post
A Hutchinson nonprofit is taking a bold new approach to housing and community development. After more than 30 years of helping individuals transition out of homelessness and poverty, New Beginnings is now launching the Small House Project, an initiative that aims to revolutionize affordable housing while fostering job training and promoting sustainability.
The first two homes have been completed near 8th and Main, marking the start of a project that could redefine how communities approach housing and economic development.
“This is how we make affordable housing possible—faster and more sustainably,” said Shara Gonzales, President & CEO of New Beginnings. “We’re not just building houses. We’re building futures.”
A Regenerative Approach to Housing
At the heart of the Small House Project is a commitment to regenerative housing—a strategy that transforms vacant lots in the urban core into energy-efficient, cost-effective homes. By building on existing infrastructure, the project reduces environmental impact and revitalizes underused areas.
Each 588-square-foot home is constructed using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs)—an advanced material that streamlines construction, cuts labor costs by 55%, and increases energy efficiency by 60%. Designed for individuals and small families, these homes will be available for purchase, offering an affordable path to homeownership and wealth-building.
The project is primarily funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which covers 75% of the costs. A supplemental loan, made in partnership with the Hutchinson Community Foundation, is helping to close the funding gap.
Gonzales emphasized that ARPA funding is about more than construction. “It’s about long-term community impact—from economic opportunity to job creation.”
Training the Next Generation of Builders
One of the most innovative aspects of the Small House Project is its integration with New Beginnings’ Transitional Jobs Program. The homes are built by individuals receiving on-the-job training, giving participants hands-on experience in construction and the emerging green building sector.
Looking ahead, New Beginnings plans to establish a local SIPs panel manufacturing facility and expand its workforce development efforts—training more people for sustainable careers in the trades and helping meet regional housing needs.
“This project is a prototype,” Gonzales said. “We’re demonstrating that it’s possible to meet the housing crisis head-on while building a stronger, more inclusive economy.”
Building Toward a Sustainable Future
Now that the first two homes are completed, the Small House Project stands as a model for how thoughtful design, strategic funding, and community-centered planning can converge to create lasting change.
New Beginnings invites the community to learn more and support the initiative as it grows. With an eye toward future expansion and replication, the organization is laying the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future—one small house at a time.
Hutchinson nonprofit builds small homes to help residents end homelessness
By Gabriela Hernandez and Jack Duarte
Published: Jun. 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM CDT|Updated: 23 hours ago
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - New Beginnings, a Hutchinson nonprofit, is building small homes to help people transition out of homelessness and poverty.
After more than 30 years of helping people through the process, New Beginnings has created The Small House Project.
The initiative aims to revamp affordable housing by purchasing vacant lots and turning them into energy-efficient, affordable homes.
“It was 10 degrees and we had a space heater because we didn’t have the HVAC in yet, and so a little space heater kept this at 65 degrees during the coldest of this last winter. That’s how energy efficient it can be,” said Shara Gonzalez, CEO of New Beginnings.
The two demo homes are 588 square feet each and built using structurally insulated panels for improved energy efficiency and durability.
The insulated panels cut construction labor costs by 55% and increase energy efficiency by 60%.
The homes will be available for purchase at around $75,000 through a lease-to-own model, offering residents a more affordable path to homeownership and long-term financial stability.
“This kind of housing can be built anywhere,” Gonzalez said. “It can be built in someone’s backyard as a private dwelling. This is just the beginning.”
The project is primarily funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which covers 75% of the cost. A supplemental loan, made in partnership with the Hutchinson Community Foundation, is helping to close the remaining funding gap.
New Beginnings-Image Courtesy Reno County Housing
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For over 30 years, New Beginnings has been helping individuals transition out of homelessness and poverty.
Now, they’re taking a bold step forward with the Small House Project, a unique initiative that combines affordable housing, job training, and environmental sustainability.
The project features regenerative housing that revitalizes vacant lots, reduces labor costs by 55%, and increases energy efficiency by 60%—all while offering affordable homes to those in need. The first two homes, built using SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels), are designed for individuals and small families, providing them with a fresh start and an opportunity for homeownership.
Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this project is not just about housing—it’s about creating long-term community impact, from workforce development to economic opportunity.
With plans for future panel manufacturing and local job training, this is just the beginning! Learn more about this exciting project and how it’s helping build a brighter, more sustainable future!
See the video on the New Beginnings project here.
For over 30 years, New Beginnings has been at the forefront of helping individuals transition out of homelessness and poverty. What began as a shelter has evolved into a comprehensive system designed to support individuals on their journey toward stability, independence, and full community integration. Today, New Beginnings is embarking on an innovative initiative that combines affordable housing, workforce development, and sustainability: the Small House Project, with the first two homes being built on one lot near 8th and Main in Hutchinson.
The Concept of Regenerative Housing
The Small House Project emerged when New Beginnings’ Transitional Jobs Program intersected with its Housing Development Program. After five years of planning and design, the idea of affordable, easily assembled homes that could also provide valuable job training was born. The project aims to solve multiple challenges at once, addressing the housing crisis, providing job opportunities, and promoting environmental sustainability.
"The idea behind regenerative housing is simple: use vacant lots within the core of downtown, places that already have electricity and water, so we're not consuming more land but revitalizing areas that can benefit from new investment,” said Shara Gonzales, President & CEO, New Beginnings. “By using SIPs, we’re able to reduce labor costs by 55%, increase energy efficiency by 60%, and create homes more quickly. This is how we make affordable housing possible—faster and more sustainably."
Innovative Design with SIPs Panels
One of the standout features of the Small House Project is the use of SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels), an innovative building material that replaces traditional framing and insulation. SIPs are prefabricated in a factory to meet design specifications, and then transported to the building site.
Each of the homes in the Small House Project will be 588 square feet with a single bedroom, designed for individuals or small families seeking a fresh start. The homes are intended to be sold to individuals who are ready to move into stable housing, providing them not only with a roof over their heads but also an opportunity to build individual wealth through homeownership.
Leveraging ARPA Funding to Make it Happen
The Small House Project was made possible thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which covered three-fourths of the project’s cost. In addition, a small loan has been secured in partnership with the Hutchinson Community Foundation, helping to close the gap.
The financial support from ARPA is a crucial part of New Beginnings’ ability to make this project a reality. It’s not just about building houses—it’s about creating economic opportunities and long-term community benefits. By securing this funding, New Beginnings can bring affordable homes to the market faster and make them accessible to those who need them most.
Workforce Development and Community Impact
New Beginnings sees this project as a prototype for future development, not only in terms of housing but also in terms of creating training and employment opportunities. The long-term goal is to establish a local panel manufacturing facility and workforce development program, which would allow New Beginnings to train individuals in construction trades and other skills necessary for the production of SIPs.
“Through this initiative, we aim to help individuals gain stable, sustainable employment while simultaneously addressing the region’s housing needs. By integrating job training into the building process, we want to ensure that people who are coming through this program gain not only a roof over their heads but also the skills and knowledge to secure long-term, well-paying jobs,” said Shara.
By combining ARPA funding, cutting-edge building technology like SIPs panels, and a focus on regenerative housing, New Beginnings is taking bold steps toward creating a more equitable and sustainable future. The Small House Project is a tangible solution to the complex problem of affordable housing, and it’s doing so in a way that builds community, creates opportunities, and supports individual wealth-building.