Resources for Homeowners Associations to Advance Sustainable Practices — Historic Preservation
Definition
Development may occur on lands that are historic landscapes and farmsteads, creating the question of how to preserve and reuse historic buildings and structures as well how to preserve historic context. Reuse of buildings is the original sustainable practice; it continues the use of already embodied energy and materials from building construction as well as prevents materials from going into landfills. Additionally, historic buildings can be re-used as community centers or other neighborhood service-oriented businesses, like daycares, barbers, or fitness centers, creating a walkable destination within the community and a valuable amenity.
Grants and Funding
If an HOA were to take on rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of a historic property, a non-profit component of the HOA, or a non-profit or governmental partner, would be needed for most grant funding and other fundraising. Additionally, unless the historic resource had significant historical value, an application for funding would likely only be eligible or competitive if the resource were made publicly accessible. Preservation PA's Preservation Funding website is a good place to start if considering a historic preservation project.
- Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit is available for buildings contributing to certain historic districts and National Register listed buildings that are income producing and for a substantial rehabilitation.
- Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Incentive Tax Credit is available to qualified tax payers for the restoration of a qualified historic structure into an-income producing property. This credit is open to National Register listed and eligible income producing properties. Awarded tax credit amounts are driven by various factors; no more than $5,000,000 in total tax credits can be issued per fiscal year. It is generally modelled after the federal tax credit application.
- Pennsylvania Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grants has funding for non-profits and local governments for construction projects for publicly accessible historic resources.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Louis J. Appell, Jr. Preservation Fund for Central Pennsylvania that includes Chester County.
- The Historic Barn and Farm Foundatioin of PA has small grants for restoring privately-owned historic barns, with preference given to those visible from a public right-of-way.
- HOA driven fundraising, likely through a related non-profit, is a way to generate funding for preservation and maintenance of on-site historic resources.
- Income-generating uses of historic buildings, such as a residential or commercial rental space, can provide an HOA with upkeep as well as possible rehabilitation costs depending on the extent of income generation.
- A portion of HOA fees could be used for managing and upkeep of a historic property. It is unlikely HOA fees would be adequate to fund a full restoration project.
Partners
- Chester County Historic Preservation Network is a non-profit that provides technical assistance to municipalities, organizations, and individuals with historic preservation.
- Many municipalities in Chester County have Historical Commissions who provide assistance in the form of education and resources to municipal officials and residents on historic resources.
- Preservation PA is Pennsylvania's only private statewide nonprofit focused on helping individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies in preservation-related efforts.
- Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of PA is dedicated to barn education and preservation.
- Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia promotes historic resource protection throughout the Philadelphia Regions, including through a façade easement program.
- Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County is a non-profit providing advocacy, education, and collaboration on historic properties throughout Lancaster County.
Education and Resources
- National Trust for Historic Preservation guide on How to Save a Place, Fundraising Basics
- Whole Building Design Guide — Sustainable Historic Preservation
- Historic Preservation and Sustainability — "The Greenest Building is the One That's Already Built"
- Homeowner's association that manages an on site adaptively reused barn as a venue.
- Community residents and country club members formed a non-profit foundation for historic resources restoration and education.