The City of Sacramento Development Services Department announces:
Under a City ordinance passed last fall, Sacramento property owners looking to improve a historic structure may be eligible for financial assistance. The Historic Places Grant Program will award up to $62,500 in quarterly grant funding, with a total of $250,000 to be awarded over the course of the coming year.
The grant program, a collaborative program of the City’s Development Services Department and Sacramento Heritage Inc., aims to help preserve, rehabilitate, restore or reconstruct historic properties throughout Sacramento. To be eligible for funding, the property must be a City designated landmark or “contributing resource” in a historic district, or determined eligible as a landmark or contributing resource and nomination application submitted. In addition, the proposed work must comply with the City’s adopted Rehabilitation standards, and it must involve or work that affects the exterior of the structure or property, such as façade, roofing, porch, stairs or window repairs, or building stabilization. Work on significant, publicly-accessible interiors may also be considered.
Approved projects may receive matching funding for up to 50 percent of the project costs under $25,000, but no less than $1,000. Funds require a 1 to 1 match and will be provided on a reimbursement basis. Consideration may be given to waive the matching requirements if an applicant can demonstrate their household annual income does not exceed 80 percent of median in Sacramento County for the preceding year. In addition, emergency grant awards may be provided for eligible buildings that are determined immediately dangerous.
To apply for the grant, property owners can visit www.cityofsacramento.org to download an application, or contact the Development Services Department at 311 or 916-264-5011.
Applications for this last round of nominations are due to the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Office by Friday, January 16, 2008. The Preservation Office is located at 300 Richards Boulevard.
The grant program is a collaborative effort of the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Heritage, Incorporated, which is a non-profit organization whose Board of Directors are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The board includes representatives from the City’s Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board, and The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission, as well as at large members with expertise in preservation, history, construction, housing and finance. All applications are reviewed and grants awarded by Sacramento Heritage Board using ranking criteria established by the City Council.
