The Historic Preservation Office is now accepting Part I applications for the Historic Homeowner Grant Program. The grants are available to low- and moderate-income households living in specific historic districts. Grants may be up to a maximum of $25,000, except the Anacostia Historic District where the maximum is $35,000.

The application deadline for the Part I application is December 21, 2012.

Grants will be awarded for exterior repairs, rehabilitation, and structural work on historic properties in the following historic districts: Anacostia, Blagden Alley/Naylor Court, Capital Hill, Fourteenth Street, LeDroit Park, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon Square, Mount Vernon Triangle, Shaw, Strivers' Section, U Street, and Takoma Park. Work affecting sides of the house visible from public streets, which makes an appreciable difference in the appearance of the house, is encouraged. Click the “Gallery of Homes” link (below) to see examples of past grant projects.

The grant application is a two part process. In Part I, homeowners provide photographs of their house and a general description of the repairs and restorations they propose to make. Use the “Grant Application” link (below) to download a Part I application. 

HPO reviews all Part I applications for eligibility. Eligible applicants will receive a Part II application and a detailed scope of work from HPO. To prepare the Part II application, applicants will use the scope of work to get price proposals from general contractors. Complete household financial information will also be submitted in Part II. Applications will be reviewed and selected by a committee appointed by the Director of the Office of Planning and the Chairman of the Historic Preservation Review Board. 

Projects selected for grants will start construction in late spring 2013.

The grants were created by the Targeted Historic Preservation Assistance Amendment Act of 2006.

For more details on the program and the process, click the “Grants FAQ” link below

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