The Targeted Historic Preservation Assistance Amendment Act of 2006 creates a new financial incentive to help qualified low- and moderate-income homeowners in 12 historic districts pay for certified rehabilitation work.

The grants are available for exterior repairs, rehabilitation, and structural work on historic properties in the following districts: Anacostia, Blagden Alley/Naylor Court, Capitol Hill, Fourteenth Street, LeDroit Park, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon Square, Mount Vernon Triangle, Shaw, Strivers' Section, U Street, and Takoma Park. Work affecting public elevations of a building which make an appreciable difference in the appearance of a property is encouraged. The HPO Gallery of Homes visually records the dramatic changes possible through before and after photographs of recently-completed projects.

The grant application is a two part process. In Part I of the application, homeowners provide photographs of their house and a general description of work being proposed for funding. In response, applicants are provided confirmation by the HPO that a house is a protected property that contributes to the character of an eligible historic district, a determination on whether the proposed scope of work meets basic preservation guidelines, and recommendations on how an application might be improved. In Part 2 of the application, applicants provide a more detailed scope of work and three itemized bids by contractors. The applications are reviewed and selected by a committee appointed by the Director of the Office of Planning and the Chairman of the Historic Preservation Review Board.

Questions regarding the program should be directed to Brendan Meyer at (202) 741-5248 or brendan.meyer@dc.gov.