How It All Began
Interfaith Housing Services, Inc. was envisioned at a Housing Symposium on January 22, 1989. Realizing the great need in our community for assisting low-income families and individuals meet their housing needs, a core group of volunteers developed what soon became Interfaith Housing Services (IHS). In 1991 IHS was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Kansas Tax Credits
The original purpose of IHS was for providing Homeowner Occupied Housing Repair and Rehabilitation (HRR) for low-income homeowners in Reno County. Since its inception IHS has assisted nearly six hundred households make much-needed repairs to their homes.
In 1992, IHS received our first grant for developing the IHS Special Needs Rental Program; since then, IHS has developed over one hundred units in Reno and Harper Counties.
In 1993, IHS began our First Homeownership Opportunity Program (1HOP). This program provides customized financial counseling for each household and offers an opportunity for matched savings through Individual Development Accounts. IHS has successfully assisted thirty-eight individuals or families with the purchase of their first home.
In 2003, IHS partnered with the Hutchinson Correctional Facility and the Southeast Kansas Educational Service Center to build homes for the 1HOP and Special Needs Rental Program. IHS provides all materials for two and three bedroom homes which are built on the HCF grounds by inmates in the vocational training program. Once completed, the houses are moved to vacant lots in the community. This innovative program provides the community with affordable housing simultaneously assisting inmates in obtaining marketable skills for a new life.
In 2008, IHS established an Individual Development Account Program (IDA) designed to help low to moderate income individuals break the bonds of poverty by saving for a major asset purchase. IHS matches every $1.00 saved by an IDA accountholder with $2.00 from our IDA fund. Participants save money for First Time Homeownership, Homeowner Occupied Housing Repair, Post Secondary Education, Specialized Skills Training, or Small Business Capitalization. This program is funded through private 45% State of Kansas Tax Credit donations.
In 2009, IHS joined the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program, providing weatherization services to 25 counties across the state. The Weatherization Program is the nation's largest residential energy efficiency program. Very simply, weatherization improves heating efficiency and fuel savings by ensuring your home holds heat and air-conditioning in, while keeping the hot and cold air out. At no charge to the client, income eligible households receive a comprehensive home assessment which includes repair or replacement of heating systems, insulation and caulking.
