1. In order to qualify for a hardship deferral, a property owner must meet the following criteria:

   1. Property for which a deferral is sought must be located within the limits of the city;

      1. Applicant must own the property assessed or be purchasing the property under a valid land sales contract;

      2. Applicant must reside on the property assessed;

      3. Property shall be a parcel not exceeding two acres in size;

      4. Property shall be a single building site;

      5. The appraised value of the home of the applicant seeking the deferral cannot exceed the current median home value for existing homes;

      6. The annual principal and interest on the assessments must be in excess of one percent of the owner's annual income;

      7. Applicant must pay for the lien recording and lien release prior to the assessment being placed on deferral.

      8. Applicant's adjusted gross annual family income shall not exceed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's median gross income family limits, very low-income level, based on the actual median income for the City of Wichita.

         2009 GROSS INCOME GUIDELINES
         Household Size	Annual Income
         1	$22,000
         2	$25,150
         3	$28,300
         4	$31,450
         5	$33,950
         6	$36,500
         7	$39,000
         8 or more	$41,500

         For determining family size, an applicant or family member of an applicant who is disabled and/or over the age of 65 years and who is head of household shall be counted as three persons. An applicant or family member of an applicant who is not a head of household but who is disabled and/or over the age of 65 years shall be counted as two persons in determining family size.

2. If the property owner wishes to pursue a hardship deferral, the property owner must fill out an Application for Hardship Deferral of Special Assessments, a Lien Acknowledgement and a Form 4506 Request for Copy of Tax Return. If the applicant or other income contributing member of the applicant's household owns their own business or is self-employed, a copy of Schedule C of Tax Form 1040 must also be completed and included along with the application.

3. At the time that the applicant submits the Application and Lien Acknowledgement, the applicant must also provide the following:

   1. A copy of the recorded deed or purchase contract for the property where the applicant resides;

   2. A copy of a current utility bill in the applicant's name;

   3. A copy of a handicapped sticker with the number visible, or a doctor's statement verifying disability status (if applicable);

   4. A copy of a birth certificate or picture I.D.; and

   5. A copy of the applicant's latest or last year's Income Tax Statement and/or Social Security Statement;

   6. A signed and completed copy of IRS Tax Form 4506.

4. If, after review of all materials submitted, the property owner qualifies for a deferral, the Lien Acknowledgement is filed with the Register of Deeds.

5. Hardship deferrals are reviewed annually for eligibility. If an individual no longer meets the criteria as set out above, a lien release is sent to the City Council for its approval. Once the Council has approved the lien release, the special assessments are placed back onto the tax roll for collection.

6. Hardship deferrals can be granted indefinitely and do not have to run concurrently. The special assessment is considered an outstanding debt until all obligations are met. If a property is sold, all special assessments (principal and interest) become due and payable.

7. Hardship deferral applications are submitted after the project is completed and after the property owner has received a Notice of Assessment statement from the City's Finance Department. If you have questions regarding the deferral program, please contact the Debt Management Office at (316) 268-4526.

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