Whether you're planning to build a brand new home or move into an existing home on the market, Mayor Chris Beutler wants to give you money back.

Monday, Beutler presented his revised housing stimulus proposal to the city council, offering anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for anyone looking to buy a new home. Beutler's proposed stimulus plan was originally part of his budget, but the council decided to deal with the project separately.

The project was first created to encourage residents to build new homes but has now been extended to those looking to move into a previously lived-in home already on the market.

It's no secret, the sounds of hammers pounding nails have slowed down in recent years as foreclosures become a daily struggle for families and the economy forced many to think twice about building.

“We've been on a downturn with the housing industry for a number of years now,” said Ken Svoboda, Lincoln City Council.

To turn the trend around, Beutler is offering a housing stimulus plan: payments from the city to home buyers.

“We tried to balance it in such a way that it primarily induced new construction, while it didn't leave old construction out of the equation,” said Nick Cusick, stimulus plan adviser.

A home buyer looking to buy a previously-owned home worth up to $150,000 would get $1,000 from the city. A family moving into a newly constructed home worth up to $325,000 that has never been occupied by the owner would receive $2,000. And a $5,000 check would be given to those building a new home worth up to $325,000.

Funding for the checks would come from an existing fund. Supporters hope it gives a boost to Lincoln's economy.

“Especially on the first-time home buyers side, you've got an individual who, because of high gas prices, because of the economy the way it is, they've probably widdled away at their savings account that they were maybe going to be using as a down payment,” Svoboda said.

“If you're moving from one home to another, it's likely if you have a yard, you have a lawn mower. If you're buying your first-time house, there's just an infinite number of expenses that you don't even think about, so certainly getting that check would be appealing,” Cusick said.

Svoboda said he hopes the Lincoln stimulus plan plus federal housing incentives will be enough to push residents to buy that new home.

He said he wants to try to get something put in place by Oct. 1.

The council also discussed jail plans this morning with the possibility of building the jail as a joint agency. They plan to discuss the topic more in-depth in the next few weeks.