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PRESERVING YOUR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD
OTHER RESOURCES

FUNDING

There are few sources of financial assistance for homeowners rehabilitating historic homes. Most grant programs are directed at not-for-profit organizations or municipalities, and few offer capital funding.
In some cases, however, a municipal government or local organization may administer special tax abatement programs or revolving funds to assist property owners with repairs or restoration work. Check with your local:

  • County, Town or City Planning Department
  • Neighborhood Improvement Corporation
  • Housing Agency or Economic Development Agency
  • Landmark or Historic Preservation Commission
  • Historic Preservation organizations.

Federal tax incentives are available for rehabilitation work on National Register-listed, income-producing buildings, including rental units. You can read about such programs at http://www.cr.nps.gov/helpyou.htm. The Preservation League of New York State is advocating for the passage of legislation that would extend New York State tax credits to private homeowners in historic districts. There are several versions of the legislation under consideration this year. More information about this legislation is available on our web site, and we would welcome your support of this critically needed tool.

The Mortgage Rehabilitation Insurance Program is administered by HUD. You can find information at www.hud.gov/fhasfh/203k/203kabou.html or follow a link to this on the website of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: http://www.nthp.org/historic_homeowner/rehabilitating/financial.html. Programs, mainly for low-income households, are available through the USDA Rural Housing Service: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Local preservation organizations may have staff who can assist with technical questions. Some also may operate an architectural salvage warehouse. See the list below.


Technical Assistance: Some Internet Sites

Technical Assistance: Property Research & Care

  • Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood, Betsy J. Green. Santa Monica Press, 2002. Presents the variety of resources used in research, and discusses guidelines and stumbling blocks in the process of documenting buildings and land ownership. $14.95; ISBN: 1891661248
  • House Histories: A Guide to Tracing the Genealogy of Your Home, by Sally Light, Margaret Eberle (Illustrator), : Golden Hill Press, 1989. A guide to analyzing a building and its components as well as the archival research process. $14.95; ISBN: 0961487615. [Note: Technically out of print, but there may still be some copies available.]
  • Caring for Your Historic House, National Park Service/Heritage Preservation, Inc. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 1998. Maintenance and guidance on all exterior and interior issues. $39.95 hardcover + shipping; $24.50 softcover. Heritage Preservation, 1625 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006; (202) 634-1422.

 

Technical Assistance: Architectural History

  • A Field Guide to American Architecture, Carole Rifkind. Plume Books, New American Library, Inc., 1980. Sections include: Residential, Ecclesiastical, Civic and Commercial and Utilitarian, with photographs, line drawings and floor plans. ISBN 0-452-25224-5.
  • A Field Guide to American Houses, Virginia and Lee McAlester. Knopf, 1984. A thorough discussion of residential American architecture beginning with Native dwellings and extending to the 1940s. Photographs, charts and line drawings show “high style” and vernacular examples. Knopf, (hdcvr), $40.00, ISBN 0-394-73969-8; Random House (pbk), $24.95, ISBN 0-394-73969-8.
  • American Architecture Since 1780, Marcus Whiffen. MIT Press, 1969. One of the best concise, standard introductions to architectural styles. $14.95, ISBN 0-262-730979. Two other books by Whiffen include: American Architecture from 1607 to 1860, $16.95, ISBN 0-262-730-693 and American Architecture From 1860-1976, $16.95, ISBN 0-262-730-707.
  • American Shelter, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home, Lester Walker. The Overlook Press, 1996 (1981). Good drawings of architectural styles including floor plans. Overlook Press, Lewis Hollow Road, Woodstock, NY 12498, or Viking Press. $45.00, ISBN 0-879518715; $27.95, 0-8795-14825.
  • Building Watcher Series pocket guides from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D. C. (Available through John Wiley & Sons, Inc.): America's Architectural Roots, "Ethnic Groups That Built America," 1986, Dell Upton, ed., $10.95, ISBN 0-471-14349-9. Main Street, "Guide to Commercial Architecture," Richard Longstreth, 1987, $9.95, ISBN 0-89133-126-3. Master Builders, "A Guide to Famous American Architects," Diane Maddex, ed., $10.95, ISBN 0-471-14402-9. What Style Is It?, "A Guide to American Architecture," John Poppeliers, et al., 1983, $12.95, ISBN 0-471-14434-7.
  • Identifying American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, John J. G. Blumenson. W. W. Norton & Co., 1990 (revised). $13.95, ISBN 0-393306100.

 

PRESERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW YORK STATE (STAFFED)

 


The Advocate for New York City's Historic Neighborhoods
232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003
tel: 212-614-9107 | fax: 212-614-9127 | email: hdc@hdc.org
©Historic Districts Council 2007
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