Historic Restoration Fund Grants (HRF)

Overview

Upcoming changes to the Historic Restoration Fund program, applications and awards:

Beginning in July of 2024, SHPO anticipates the Community Investment Act fund deposits for the Historic Restoration Fund will return to an average of approximately $1.5 million dollars a year.

SHPO anticipates the number of applications will remain the same while the pool of funding is smaller, resulting in a more competitive application review. The application process will change to ensure applicants of all sizes and project types have an equitable chance to receive funding.

The next cycle of funding will follow the timeline below:

  • March 2024- Letter of Intent due
  • June 2024- Mandatory pre-application workshop
  • October 2024- Applications due
  • January 2025- Applications awarded
  • February 2025- Mandatory post-application workshop
  • Spring 2025- Construction begins
  • Monthly check-ins
  • All projects must be completed in 2 years- March 2027

The SHPO will spend the next several months fine tuning the program and process.

Looking forward, there are more than 20 projects with completed applications that will be presented for funding between July of 2023 and July of 2024. These projects have been allocated for in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget.

In the meantime, if your organization is planning a project for 2025, please reach out to the Historic Restoration Fund coordinator at Erin.Fink@ct.gov.

Background:

Since March of 2020, the SHPO has awarded more than $5 million dollars in Historic Restoration Fund grants. Funding was spread across each of Connecticut’s counties for projects such as roof replacements, masonry repairs, window restoration, structural stabilization and exterior painting.

The Historic Restoration Fund grants are funded by the Community Investment Act (also known as Public Act 05-228), which was signed into law on July 11, 2005. The Act has become Connecticut’s primary source of dedicated funding to conserve open space, protect farmland, maintain historic properties and supplement affordable housing projects. Each sector represents a critical component of our statewide quality of life.

The Community Investment Act provides funding by charging an additional $30 dollar fee for the recording of land records. After the town where the document is filed retains $4, the town clerk deposits $26 to the State Treasurer for land protection, affordable housing and historic preservation.

Between 2020 and 2022, real estate transactions multiplied and deposits rapidly accumulated in the Community Investment Fund account, resulting in a funding surplus at SHPO for both Survey and Planning grants as well as the Historic Restoration Fund maintenance and repair grants. At the same time, the number of applicants and demand for funding increased.

SHPO responded and is proud to announce that the funding surplus has been spent down, meeting the needs of more than 64 Historic Restoration Fund projects between March 2020 and June 2023.

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This program is intended to offer maintenance and repair funding to non-profit 501c3 and 501c13 and municipally owned buildings listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places.

Eligibility:

  • Rehabilitation projects must be directly attributed to the long-term preservation of historic building fabric and character defining features.
  • The property must be owned by the applicant or have a minimum 20-year lease agreement in place.
  • The non-profit applicant must have non-profit 501c3 or 501c13 status for at least 2 years.
  • The work must be open to the public or visible to the public.
  • A preservation easement/restriction is required to be filed on the land records. For more information please read SHPO's easement information here: Preservation Restriction

Funding Information:

  • Grant awards range from $5,000 to $200,000.
  • Grants must be matched on a one-to-one basis.
  • Grants are paid on a single-payment reimbursement basis following project completion.
  • Federal funds and other non-state funds can be used as a match.
    HRF Grants are funded by the Community Investment Act (also known as Public Act 05-228), which was signed into law on July 11, 2005. The Act provides increased funding for historic preservation as well as open space, farmland preservation, and affordable housing.

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For Current Recipients:

Step 7: Bid documents will be reviewed and approved.

  • Applicants must get at least 3 bids for the work.
  • Bidders must submit a CHRO form, Performance and Payment Bonds, Proof of Insurance, Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Commercial Umbrella Insurance, Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability, Hold Harmless Agreement, and a Project Schedule
  • Applicants must submit the names of each bidder, the bid amount, and the required documentation listed above.
  • Applicants must write a brief justification for the choice of bidder and notify bidders of their decision.
  • Applicants must then send a copy of the contract with the winning bidder to Erin Fink by email at Erin.Fink@ct.gov for approval.
  • Applicants will put up a sign using the following: Template

Step 8: Applicants will complete the project

Step 9: Applications will complete the following checklist to close out the project: Close-out Guidelines and Check-list

Step 10: Applicants will file the Preservation Restriction on the land records.

SHPO looks forward to working with you and your organization on your project.