Do you know of non-city grant sources for fixing up historic homes?
A: (Answered by Anne Giffen, Planner, who works with historic resources and long-range planning)
In order to qualify for most historic housing rehabilitation loans, your home must be listed on the National Register. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) usually offers matching rehabilitation grants once a year. These grants are fairly competitive. More information can be found at the SHPO’s website: www.shpo.state.or.us. Another website, “Sources of Financial Assistance for Historic Preservation Projects” is www.achp.gov/funding.html. Grants at the national level are often extremely competitive. Grants are typically awarded to properties with regional, state or national significance as a result of unique craftsmanship, a historic event or famous person residing on the site. The city is not aware of any other viable grant sources for single-family houses. (More grants are available for buildings with public access and benefit, such as museums or libraries.)