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Rebuild ABI infill program reports early results: nearly $1 million allocated to new homes
Summary
City officials said the Rebuild ABI infill program awarded nearly $1 million in incentives in 2024 to encourage local builders to construct owner-occupied homes in older neighborhoods; officials said the program has begun producing homes for sale but cautioned building and sales timelines are ongoing.
City officials described the Rebuild ABI infill program as an incentive-driven effort to encourage new single-family home construction and major renovations in older Abilene neighborhoods.
City staff said the program, introduced in 2024, offers incentives up to about $35,000 to participating builders who use locally purchased materials and require buyers to homestead the home for at least two years. Builders must be members of the Big Country Home Builders Association to participate, officials said, and projects must meet square-footage and material standards such as brick or cement siding.
“Builders can qualify up to about $35,000 in incentives,” Robert Hanna said in describing program rules and goals.
City staff reported that in 2024 the Rebuild ABI program accepted 30 projects and allocated $997,409 of a $1,000,000 program budget. Officials said those projects included 28 new builds and two major renovations involving 10 participating builders; eight homes have sold to homesteading buyers so far, and staff characterized the program as “working.”
Hanna and subsequent presenters repeatedly framed the program as both a housing and neighborhood revitalization tool: incentives are designed to keep construction local, improve housing quality and encourage homeownership in older neighborhoods. A real estate presenter at the event described neighborhood reaction to renovated homes as emotional and positive, with neighbors returning to see restored properties.
Ending note: The city said roughly 95% of the program’s 2025 funds were already allocated in early 2025 enrollment; officials said the program will continue but gave no new policy changes or funding commitments at the event.
