Get rewarded to build or rehab a home in Preston

(ABC 6 NEWS) – Almost everywhere is seeing a shortage in things like staffing and housing, but if you’re looking to move anytime soon Preston wants to reward you for moving to town.

For many years the city has offered a housing incentive program.

With the new veterans home coming to town and many people looking to move as jobs continue to stay remote, you can get rewarded for finding that new place to call home.

"A number of times we say to each other aren’t we lucky to live here," Preston Resident, Gerrie Daley said.

Daley moved to Preston in 1962 when her job brought her to town.

She said her kids loved growing up there and she has made many lifelong friends.

"Lots of people know each other if not almost everyone," Sheila Craig said.

Craig lives outside of town but comes to Preston two to three times a day.

She said the town is full of things to do from trout fishing, trails, or seeing the history Preston has to offer.

If you’re looking to move to the small town, the city wants to help.

"We are small, and so we can’t necessarily do these big $20,000 discounts on a lot but we have used our partnerships in our community to really create this incentive," Preston Economic Development Authority Director, Gabby Kinneberg said.

If you’re building a new home or new construction you can get up to $3,305 in incentives like waived permit fees, a free family pool pass, and $1,000 in Preston Bucks, which can be used at businesses in the community, keeping money local.

If you rehabilitate a home you can get up to $1,830 in incentive funding.

"We have a pretty hot demand for housing, especially with the Veteran Home coming into Preston," Kinneberg said.

The Preston veterans home is expected to be finished in 2023, bringing many new jobs to town and this incentive could have more demand than ever.

"Focusing on what we can do in the now to get that shortage filled and start to work on it and I think having the veteran home coming has really given the housing project here new energy too," Kinneberg said.

You can be a resident or move to Preston to apply for the incentive, you just have to build new construction or rehabilitate an old home.

The city hopes this can help to improve the existing housing stock.

Applications are limited and based on Economic Development Authority funding.

Applications are also on a first come first serve basis.

You can learn more here.