Historic Preservation Fund FAQs
Does my property qualify for a Historic Preservation Fund grant?
To qualify for a HPF grant a property must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NPS). Applicants can be private citizens, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, federally-recognized Indian Tribes, governmental entities, owners of land on which there is a National Registered archaeological site, owners of contributing property within a National Register listed district.
Who does not qualify for a Historic Preservation Fund grant?
- Owners of religious property
- Religious organizations
- Religious properties may qualify for pre-development funds which include funding pre-construction plans and drawings.
- For-profit firms and organizations
- For-profit firms are not considered for HPF grants but are transferred to the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program (link to the Tax Credit Information)
- Property that qualifies for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program
- Owners who objected to the National Register listing of their property
- Owners whose mortgage holders will not agree to sign the contract
- Owners of the National Register property only but not of the land the property is on, UNLESS the land owner agrees to sign the contract as well
- Owners of property that is at risk of being moved
- Owners of property that was on the National Register, but whose property has lost enough historical integrity that it is no longer eligible for listing.
- Restoration projects that have been started or completed prior the awarding of the grant
What projects are eligible with a HPF grant?
A HPF grant can fund projects in preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and pre-development planning. All projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
What projects are not eligible with a HPF grant?
Routine maintenance is not an allowable expense. Some examples of routine maintenance are cleaning, repairing door hinges, painting, clearing and reattaching gutters exterior and refinishing wood floors. All work must be approved in advance by the Society. Work must comply with state statutes regarding construction, local building codes, and the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties as well as federal safety regulations.