Find out more about the program here: Program Overview
Basic program requirements
What exterior repairs does the forgivable loan cover?
The forgivable loan covers exterior repairs for owner-occupied homes or owner-occupied rental properties (no more than 3 rental units in addition to the homeowner’s owner’s unit), such as (but not limited to) porch repairs, painting, masonry repointing, carpentry, roofing, and window repairs visible from the public right of way. Interior or structural work is not eligible for funding through this program. For 2025 we are targeting the East Parkside Neighborhood for this program only.
How do I apply?
Fill out the eligibility determination form by clicking here. Our team will review your information and get back to you within two weeks on whether or not you’re eligible for the program. If you are, we’ll send you the application materials, and if not, we’ll refer you to other resources that might be able to help.
What is a Forgivable Loan? Is it the same as a grant?
A forgivable loan is a loan that does not have to be repaid if you meet all the program requirements. The Historic Home Repair Program does not require you to make any loan payments during the five-year loan period, as long as you continue to live in your home for those five years and the work is completed according to the approved scope of work. At the end of the loan period, the Preservation Alliance will file a loan-release agreement in the City land records ending the loan agreement. The loan will become a grant to you at the end of the five-year loan period.
How many Forgivable Loans do you expect to make during the first round of applications? Will you have other application rounds this year?
We expect to make between five and eight forgivable loans in the first round. There will be only one application round in 2025. The Preservation Alliance Board will review the program’s success before making decisions for the second year.
As we roll out the program, we want to create a dedicated, streamlined process for applications. If and when the program is expanded in the future, the HHRP staff may amend the application period type or length. For our program launch, the application period will last at least six weeks.
Why are there income requirements for applicants?
To ensure our forgivable loans help those in need of maintaining historic home exteriors, your adjusted gross income must be below 150% of the City of Philadelphia Area Median Income, determined annually by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. You will also have to indicate the number of people who live in the house on the application form. See the chart below.
| FY 2025 Income Limit Area – Median Family Income – Income limitations from HUD | ||||||||
| 2025 Median Family Income: $119,400 | # in Household 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| To be eligible for this program, your income must be below 150% AMI as indicated here: | $125,400 | $143,250 | $161,250 | $179,100 | $193,500 | $207,825 | $222,150 | $236,475 |
Are there maximums and minimums for these forgivable loans?
Yes. The maximum forgivable loan is $25,000 and minimum is $2,500.
Why is the program limited to certain neighborhoods?
This is a pilot program for the first year, funded by a bequest from Julia Kiessling. The Board of Directors of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia aims to demonstrate how small forgivable loans in one or two historic districts can encourage residents to invest in and repair their historic homes.
Who will collaborate directly with me on my project?
The Historic Home Repair Program (HHRP) staff of the Preservation Alliance will assist you in preparing a high-quality application and collaborate with your approved contractor to meet the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s requirements. Our staff has many years of historic preservation experience.
Who decides which applicants get selected?
Our Julia Kiessling Historic Home Repair Program Committee will review the Forgivable Loan applications and make a recommendation. Then the Preservation Alliance’s Board of Directors will make a final decision. The Board meets in March, June, September, and December. The forgivable loan recommendations from the HHRP committee will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting of the board.
Program Criteria
How do I know if my home is historic and meets the criteria for the program?
The Preservation Alliance staff will review the address provided and check with the Philadelphia Historical Commission list to determine if the property is listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places or if the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, either as part of a National Register Historic District or individually listed. We will verify this information and notify you within two weeks of application submission if the building is not eligible.
If your historic home is listed solely on the National Register (individually or as part of a historic district), and not on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, the forgivable loan documents will contain a clause that requires you to actively maintain and not demolish the building for the five-year term of the loan. At the end of the loan period, we will provide a release of the loan and these requirements at the Recorder’s Office.
Are we eligible to apply if we have lived in our historically designed home for only a few years?
There is no minimum length of time to have lived in your home to apply for this program.
Why must all people on the deed sign the application and agree to the grant terms?
All property owners must agree to the forgivable loan terms to ensure they understand the program’s intent. This includes living in the home for at least five years after receiving forgivable loan funds from the Preservation Alliance for exterior repairs.
How is the privacy of my financial information, such as tax returns, assured?
After you submit the required materials with the forgivable loan application, HHRP staff will review them and scan the documents into a secure online file. The hard copies of title reports and tax returns will be shredded within one week.
How do I know what my adjusted gross income is?
Your adjusted gross income can be found on your tax return. It is line 11 on the 2024 1040 tax returns
How many rental units can I have on my property and still be eligible to apply?
You may have up to three (3) rental units in your home, in addition to the homeowner’s unit, and still be eligible to apply for the Historic Home Repair Program. However, you must live in one of the units in the building for the full five-year loan term so that there is no repayment of the forgivable loan required.
How do I find out if I am current on payment of my property taxes?
We need to ensure you are paying your property taxes or participating in an approved payment plan to avoid the property being subject to Sheriff’s Sale. Visit the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) at Property assessments | Office of Property Assessment | City of Philadelphia to check if your property tax payments are up to date. The Preservation Alliance will also review these records during the application process.
What if my property has a “tangled title”? Can I still apply?
No. For “tangled titles,” you’ll be referred to resources that can help you resolve this. You can apply once the title is cleared.
What is a tangled title?
A tangled title is a property title that does not accurately reflect the present homeowner’s claim to the home. It happens when someone owns part/all of the house but doesn’t have their name on the deed. This often occurs when a relative passes and an estate is not probated. Most often, titles get tangled because the person whose name is on the deed passes away and that person’s relatives continue to live in the home without putting the deed in their name. Learn more about tangled titles here: Philadelphia Register of Wills – Title Clearance Unit or Philadelphia Legal Assistance – Tangled Title Basics.
Do I need a will, and can you help me get one prepared?
A will is not necessary for this program, but we encourage any applicant to have one to ensure the owner’s heirs are listed in the document. While we cannot assist you with will preparation, we can refer you to qualified resources to assist with preparing a will.
Why do you need to know about a property mortgage?
Forgivable Loan funds are available to any historic homeowner meeting the criteria. Some properties may have a mortgage or a home improvement loan which may, but not necessarily, affect the final determination of eligibility.
Why must I submit my recent tax returns with my application? What if I got an extension until October? Can I submit last year’s return?
Please submit your most recent tax return with your application. We use the latest return to determine your eligibility based on your Adjusted Gross Income and household size. For special circumstances, please contact us directly.
Why does the forgivable loan program focus only on exterior repairs?
The Preservation Alliance aims to ensure historic homes are well-maintained. As designation on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places is (usually) limited to the building exterior, we are focusing on solely exterior repairs. For interior repairs, staff can refer you to other city grant and loan programs.
Can I obtain other funds for interior work not covered by your program?
The HHRP staff will refer homeowners in Philadelphia to other assistance programs as are appropriate but cannot assist with the application process for these programs.
What kind of insurance do I need to participate in the program?
You will need to request that your homeowner’s insurance broker adds the Preservation Alliance as an additionally insured party on your homeowner’s insurance during the construction contract period. Once the final payment is made to the contractor and the work is completed, the Preservation Alliance can be removed as an additional insured.
Why do you want to put a sign in front of my house?
We want to raise awareness of this program among community members so we can continue the program.
Who provides the project sign, and how long will it be displayed?
The Preservation Alliance will provide a 24” x 36” sign to indicate your participation in the grant program. Our contractors will install the sign before construction starts and remove it within three months of the completion of the work.
Sale of the Building before Five Years
Will I need to pay back part of the forgivable loan if I sell the property within five years?
Yes. If you sell the house within five years of the date of the signing of the forgivable loan agreement, you must repay part of the forgivable loan, prorated as outlined below. You’ll sign a “Retention Agreement” indicating your intent to own the property and for it to be your primary residence for at least five years after the forgivable loan is awarded. This agreement will be recorded in the City land records. If the property is sold within one year, 80% of the forgivable loan must be returned to the Alliance. For sales in the second, third, and fourth years, 60%, 40%, and 20% of the forgivable loan funds must be returned, respectively.
If I die before the five-year repayment period ends, will my child who inherits the property have to repay the forgivable loan?
No. If your child or another close family member is named in your will as the property heir, and lives in the home for the full five-year forgivable loan term, no repayment is required, the forgivable loan becomes a grant. If your beneficiary sells the property from probate or within the forgivable loan term, the repayment schedule listed above will still apply.
Cost share
I understand that all applicants must pay a portion of the planned exterior repairs. How is this amount determined and when do I have to pay this sum?
This program is designed to offer significant assistance toward the cost of exterior repairs on owner occupied historic homes. We require that the property owner contribute 10% of the cost of the repairs (as determined in a written estimate by a licensed contractor) plus the program fees for the forgivable loan. The forgivable loan will cover 90% of the repair costs.
For example: Your home needs roof repairs, new porch columns, and a few windows restored. The estimate from the contractor might be as follows:
- Roof replacement with historically accurate shingles – $10,000
- Three windows restored at $1,200 each – $3,600
- Porch columns replaced and painted – $4,000
Total estimate – $17,600
The program fees for each forgivable loan are as follows:
- Forgivable loan mortgage recording fee – $247.75
- Forgivable loan mortgage satisfaction recording fee – $230.75
- Title search fee (a copy of the title report will be provided to you) – $200.00
- Inspection fees (up to three inspections are included in this fee, this ensures all work done meets Philadelphia Historical Commission requirements) – $1,200.00
Total program fees $ 1,878.50
Total cost of project $19,173.50
Homeowner contributes $1,760.00 + $1,878.50 = $3,638.50, Preservation Alliance contributes $15,840.00.
The program fees are the same for each forgivable loan, and are part of the homeowner’s required contribution to the project.
Is everyone who gets a forgivable loan required to provide their cost share amount?
Yes, all property owners approved for a forgivable loan are required to contribute towards the project’s basic (non-historic) costs, irrespective of their income level.
What fees do I have to pay, and can they be rolled into the forgivable loan?
Owners must contribute a minimum of 10% of the cost of the work when we sign the forgivable loan agreement. Additionally, there are program fees for the forgivable mortgage, a title search, and inspection fees by a third-party inspector.
Scope of work, choosing a contractor, managing construction
How is the amount the owner has to pay determined?
The Preservation Alliance will have a contractor prepare an estimate for the needed work, the property owner contributes 10% of the cost toward the project.
Can I select my own contractor for the work?
Yes, but the contractor must be on our approved contractor list. If they are not already on our list, the contractor you choose must submit an application to be considered for approval and listing.
Will the Preservation Alliance help me get my plans approved by the Philadelphia Historical Commission?
Yes. The Preservation Alliance staff will collaborate with your contractor to submit and revise plans for approval by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
What if my exterior repair project exceeds the $25,000 maximum forgivable loan?
The contractor will provide the scope of work and the estimate. The Preservation Alliance’s forgivable loan will support up to $25,000. If the total project cost exceeds this amount, you can either: 1) Adjust the scope with the contractor to stay within the $25,000 limit, or 2) Pay the additional costs yourself or through other grant or loan programs. Our staff can refer you to other grant or loan programs if applicable but cannot help you with the applications for these programs.
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 will coordinate if I have multiple tradespeople coming to my house?
The HHRP staff will manage the construction, including coordination with the property owner for contractor visits for construction and inspections.
Is it necessary to obtain multiple bids for each trade? How is the contractor selected?
We recommend that homeowners obtain at least two written bids for the proposed work from our list of approved contractors. The Historic Home Repair Program staff will assist you in understanding these proposals and selecting a contractor that best suits your project needs.
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 I disagree with the scope of work or want 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 you need additional services beyond the forgivable loan, 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, who 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.
What if I disagree with the contractor on the quality of their work, will you help me settle the matter?
HHRP staff will collaborate with the property owner to ensure high-quality results from a well-developed scope of work. We encourage property owners to attend all inspections to address quality concerns. The Preservation Alliance contracts and pays the contractor, so please inform us of any issues as soon as possible.
Marketing
What kind of publicity will you be doing about my involvement with this program?
We will be taking photographs of your house before, during and after construction begins to document the work. We ask that all property owners be willing to be photographed in front of their home after construction is completed which we will use to showcase the work and describe your involvement with the program. Photos of you and your home may be published online, in print, and on video as part of this project to market it to other applicants and future potential funders.
What if I do not wish to appear on camera or have a legitimate reason not to have my name, address, or photo published?
Please discuss these concerns with the HHRP staff before you make your application.
Additional Questions?
Email HHRP Program Director Jennifer Robinson HHRP@preservationalliance.com
