Historic homes can offer links to a community's past.
Historic homes can offer a glimpse into the past. Period-specific architectural details and building styles from bygone eras can act as visual reminders of earlier times. However, historic homes are, by definition, old -- and old houses inevitably require maintenance. Roof repair can be an expensive but necessary repair. Several government and private organizations offer grant funding to help offset the costs of historical home repair, rehabilitation and preservation. Does this Spark an idea?
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers two programs that can assist with roof repair on a historic home. The National Trust for Historic Preservation Fund program offers matching grant funds and intervention grants for emergency preservation activities to nonprofits and public agencies. Matching grants range from $500 to $5,000 and can be used for preservation or obtaining professional advice in areas such as architecture or engineering.
The Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation provides grants from $2,500 to $10,000 that can be used to "preserve or recapture an authentic sense of place," according to grant guidelines. Nonprofits and public agencies are eligible. Individuals can apply if the home is a National Historic Landmark.
National Park Service
The National Park Service offers grants for historic home repair through the Save America's Treasures and the Historic Preservation Grants programs. According to the program website, grants can be used to fund "preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and historic structures and sites. Historic structures and sites include historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects." Federal, state, local and tribal government agencies and nonprofit organizations can apply. Grantees must provide matching non-federal funding.
Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
Residents of Philadelphia can apply for repair grants through the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia's Historic Properties Repair Program. Grants fund restoration-quality, external repairs on homes that are located in a National Register Historic District or that are designated as historic buildings by the National Register. Projects such as roof work, masonry and carpentry can be funded. To qualify, homeowners must have a total household income at or less than 80 percent of the median area income. All projects must be approved by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism offers Historic Restoration Fund grants. Grants range from $10,000 to $200,000 and can be used for "rehabilitation, restoration or stabilization of historic buildings and structures," according to grant guidelines. To qualify for a grant, homes must be included on the National or State Register of Historic Places and owned by a nonprofit or public agency. Grantees must provide 50 percent of the grant award in non-state matching funds.
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