Find out more about the program here: Program Overview
The Julia W. Kiessling Historic Home Repair Program (HHRP) helps low- and moderate-income homeowners in Philadelphia to maintain and preserve their historic homes by offering five-year forgivable loans. Established in 2025 through a generous bequest from the late Julia W. Kiessling, the program ensures that residents can remain in their homes while protecting the unique architectural character of our neighborhoods. We are targeting the Parkside neighborhood in 2025.
We’re looking for contractors with experience working on historic homes to provide services such as roofing, gutter and downspout repairs, masonry repairs, window restoration, carpentry, and painting. Contractors will be hired by the Preservation Alliance’s Historic Home Repair Program to conduct work within a specified scope that is agreed upon in advance between yourself, the homeowner, and the Alliance staff.
The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, HHRP staff will assist the homeowner and contractor with obtaining approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission for the project.
If you’re interested in being contacted when we have projects for your trade, please click here to complete our contractor qualification form.
The program highly encourages small and minority-owned businesses to apply for qualification.
Requirements for contractors:
- Experience working on historic homes, preferably with projects that were reviewed by the Philadelphia Historical Commission or another similar agency in advance of the work.
- Must be licensed as a contractor either through the City of Philadelphia or the State of Pennsylvania.
- Must carry General Liability Insurance of at least $2,000,000 General Aggregate and $1,000,000 Per Occurrence.
- Must carry workers comp insurance if you have employees.
- You must provide a warranty for your work.
To be considered for listing on our pre-approved contractor list, you will be required to provide the following:
- A copy of your business liability insurance policy. Minimum Insurance Requirements for General Liability Insurance of $2,000,000 General Aggregate and $1,000,000 Per Occurrence.
- A copy of your workers comp insurance policy
- Your contractor’s license number
- Your City of Philadelphia Commercial Activity License number
- Details on three projects your business has completed within the last five years for which the type of work is relevant to the Historic Home Repair Program (include the project location, a brief description and the cost of the work you performed, and client contact information). Before and after photos are required.
Review the Program’s Frequently Asked Questions here.
What is the process for working on a project with the Preservation Alliance?
The HHRP staff will reach out to you to ask if you’d like to bid on an upcoming project. You’ll receive a preliminary scope of work, and staff will meet you at the property for a site visit to review the scope and give you an opportunity to inspect the property.
You’ll provide a bid, in writing, within 72 hours of the site visit with your cost estimate. The program staff will review bids with the homeowner and make a contractor selection.
HHRP staff will be the party responsible for entering into the contract with you and handling all payments on a progress-based schedule determined at contract signing. We anticipate having two progress meetings to confirm work is being done to specifications, and a final site visit to sign off on the work. These meetings will be attended by an independent inspector hired by the Preservation Alliance to confirm the work is being done to code.
Who is responsible for obtaining permits?
The contractor is responsible for obtaining appropriate permits through the City’s Licenses and Inspections department. HHRP will assist in obtaining the Historical Commission’s approval for the work.
Why do you have an approved contractor list?
To ensure contractors working on historic properties follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Historic Home Repair Program staff will accompany a paid home inspector during each visit to check the quality of the work and confirm it matches the plans approved by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
Who determines the scope of work?
Staff will collaborate with you and the contractor to define the scope of work for each contract. The contractor will provide the estimate for the scope of work we’ve discussed.
What if the homeowner disagrees with the scope of work or wants more services from the contractor?
The forgivable loan ensures historic homes are preserved according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The work must meet these standards for funding. If the homeowner needs additional services beyond the forgivable we encourage the owner to negotiate directly with the contractor for a separate phase that you will finance and manage.
How does the contractor get paid?
The Preservation Alliance will pay the contractor directly. The contractor can submit up to three invoices during the project. Upon invoice submission, HHRP staff will hire a licensed home inspector to review the work, with the contractor and homeowner encouraged to attend. If the inspector and HHRP staff approve the work, payment will be made within two weeks.
Additional Questions?
Email HHRP Program Director Jennifer Robinson HHRP@preservationalliance.com
