By Jim Marshall
PHOENIX, AZ – Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Grant Funds are now available. The City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department’s Historic Preservation Office announced the return of grant money for help with historic home rehabilitation costs. Funds are set aside to assist homeowners with costs related to enhancing, preserving, and protecting the exteriors of their historic properties in Phoenix.
Eligible applicants can request up to $20,000 in a 50/50 matching funds grant—that is, the grant funds 50% of the cost of the improvement project(s) (e.g., if the improvement/repair project is estimated to cost $10,000, homeowners can apply for a grant of $5000). As part of the grant agreement, the property owner agrees to sell the city a conservation easement to protect the historic character of the property’s exteriors. (Samples of the easement and the agreement can be found at the grant’s website.)
Voters Approved
Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Grant Funds are now available. Voters approved more than $42 million in bond funds from 1989 through 2006 for Historic Preservation. The remaining funds from the 2006 Exterior Rehabilitation bond were allocated in 2015, but no grant rounds occurred from 2016 through 2020.
However in 2021 and 2022, Phoenix City Council set aside $200,000 each year from the General Fund to re-establish the Exterior Rehabilitation Grant Program. These funds were awarded to 24 grant applicants over the last two years. Now, Phoenix City Council has given approval for another $200,000.
Eligible Improvements
The program’s primary focus is to assist with the cost of projects that restore the exteriors of significant historic buildings. All projects must result in the preservation, restoration, and stabilization in reconstruction of the building’s exterior. The list of eligible exterior improvements include, but are not limited to: repairs to exterior walls; roof repairs; structural reinforcement; repairs to exterior windows and doors; repairs to masonry and stucco, etc. Interior improvements may be eligible if they are necessary to support the exterior of the building.
Applications being accepted
Applications are being accepted through November 17, 2023 and owners of historic homes in city-designated historic districts and/or listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register are eligible to apply. The city has streamlined the application process. Previously those seeking grant funding had to submit 12 hard-copies. Then go down and stand in line at the Planning and Development Department to submit their application(s). The process is now electronic with applications accepted via e-mail. That will certainly make it easier for those seeking the grant funding.
More Information
Visit the Historic Preservation Exterior Rehabilitation Assistance Program website for more information, including a list of eligible improvements. Along with an overview of the program, the site includes links to the application. There is also an Exterior Rehabilitation Grant Program Guide including a Virtual Grant Workshop video.
Applications are accepted via e-mail (to the address: [email protected]). The deadline for submission is Friday, November 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Remember late applications and missing crucial elements (such as cost estimates, photos) will not be considered for funding.
If there are problems with the links above, copy and paste this address into your browser: https://www.phoenix.gov/pdd/historic-preservation/exterior-rehab-assistance for further information
Interested homeowners can also e-mail the staff at [email protected].
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