Institutions are not eligible to receive funding through this program, but are encouraged to apply to the Community Preservation Grants program.
Application Process
All applications must be fully completed and submitted electronically using the online application by the published deadline.
Applicant Eligibility
- Applicants must be owners of residential properties with no more than four units. Institutions are not eligible to receive funding.
- Properties must be owner-occupied.
- Properties may be any age, but must be recognized historic resources, such as through listing or determined eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, contributing to a historic district, or being locally landmarked.
- Properties must be located in Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, or West Haven
- Applications will not be accepted nor will funds be awarded for properties subject to outstanding municipal liens, pre-foreclosure proceedings, or unresolved violations related to preservation easements or local historic district regulations.
- No grants may be awarded to a trustee or employee of Historic New England, nor to a member of the selection committee, nor to a substantial contributor, nor family members of these individuals.
Eligible Activities and Expenses
- Projects must enhance publicly visible, character-defining exterior features of the property.
- Projects must preserve, rehabilitate, or restore historic features of the property (e.g. exterior surface preparation and painting of historic materials, repair of historic windows or installation of exterior storm windows at historic windows, repointing historic masonry, restoration of historic porches).
- Projects may include removal of inappropriate, non-historic features (e.g. removal of vinyl siding or removal of non-historic porch enclosures).
- Projects costs may include architectural or engineering services directly related to the approved project, up to $2,500. This includes development of bidding and construction plans and documents, and construction supervision.
Ineligible Expenses
The following expenses are not eligible for funding:
- Building permit fees and related costs
- Title reports and legal fees
- Property acquisition costs
- Financing costs
- Interior preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration work
- Activities related to conversion of a historically single-family residence to multi-family
Funding Conditions
Through submission of this grant application, the applicant agrees:
- Funding shall not be approved for identical work at the same property within a five-year period.
- The maximum amount of funding for a property will be set forth in a Funding Agreement between Historic New England and the property owner to be completed upon award of funding. If the actual costs exceed the original final estimates submitted with the grant application and used to determine the amount of funding in the Funding Agreement, the property owner shall be responsible for the full amount of the excess.
- Funds are subject to Federal and State taxes, and are reported to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 1099. Applicants are required to provide their tax ID number or social security number as part of the Funding Agreement.
- 50% of the funds will be disbursed within thirty days of the finalization of the Funding Agreement. The remaining funds will be disbursed when the project is determined to be 50% completed. Work is expected to be completed within twelve months of finalization of the Funding Agreement.
- Any changes to the project as approved in the Funding Agreement, including to scope and timing, must receive prior written approval by Historic New England.
- Historic New England may list and publicize successful applications and projects as participants in the program, and use all forms of print and digital media to build visibility for the program, applicant, and project without restriction;
- To erect a sign, prescribed by Historic New England, at the project site indicating that they have received Historic New England funds for the project;
- To allow for periodic site visits by Historic New England to inspect the progress of the project, including upon completion of the work;
- Upon completion, property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the project without alteration for five years;
- Upon reasonable notice, property owner shall allow Historic New England to make periodic inspections of the completed project during the five-year maintenance period.
Selection Criteria
Special consideration shall be given to:
- Historic, architectural, and cultural significance of the property
- Relative condition of the property
- Potential visibility and impact of funding on the surrounding neighborhood
- Financial or technical need for funding
- Ability to complete the project
Applications for 2026 Submissions are now open!
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