Washington DC Historic Homeowner Grants

About Historic Homeowner Grants 

Homeowner grants are available for exterior and structural work on historic buildings in fifteen DC historic districts and landmarks. The grant program is administered by the DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO). The maximum grant is $25,000, except in the Anacostia Historic District, where the maximum grant is $35,000.

Where are Grants Available?

Grants are available to homeowners of historic houses inthe following historic districts and landmarks:

Anacostia	Emerald Street	Mount Pleasant	Strivers' Section
Blagden Alley/Naylor Court	Fourteenth Street	Mount Vernon Square	Takoma Park
Bloomingdale	Kingman Park	Mount Vernon Triangle	U Street
Capitol Hill	LeDroit Park	Shaw	Wardman Flats

 

 

Do I live in an eligible historic district?

Who Qualifies for a Grant? 

Grants are available to DC residents registered as currently receiving the Homestead Deduction for property taxes on their home. To qualify, the taxpayer must have a household income of 120% or less of the area median income (AMI) and be currently receiving the homestead deduction for property taxes.

Depending on income, a grant recipient may also be required to match the grant by contributing to the cost of rehabilitation. 

More about AMI and Match Requirements 

A grant recipient must meet application requirements and enter a preservation covenant ensuring the funded improvements are maintained in good repair for at least five years.

What Type of Work Qualifies for a Grant?

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis with preference given to major structural repairs and work that restores important and prominently visible architectural features, such as:

• Repair of original front wood windows and doors 
• Replacement of non-original windows and doors 
• Repair and painting of wood siding and trim 
• Repair or reconstruction of front porches and stairs 
• Roof repair and replacement 

Grants cannot be provided for heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, interior work, or additions. Grants are not available for houses that do not contribute to the character of the historic district. Grant funding is not retroactive and cannot be awarded for work that has already been started or completed.

Is my house considered contributing to the historic district?