The Julia W. Kiessling Historic Home Repair Program (HHRP) helps low- and moderate-income homeowners in Philadelphia to maintain and preserve their historic homes. 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. 

By offering forgivable loans for critical exterior repairs, the program promotes housing stability, prevents displacement, and supports the long-term health of historic communities. The forgivable loan does not have to be repaid during the five year loan period if the homeowner remains in the home. If the property is sold sometime during the five year loan period, a percentage of the loan must be repaid, see further information below. 

For our pilot program, we’re focusing on the East Parkside neighborhood of West Philadelphia. We hope to expand the program to assist homeowners citywide. We’re interested in hearing from homeowners seeking assistance with exterior repairs to their historic property, regardless of their location, so we can make a compelling case for increasing our funding by demonstrating unmet demand throughout the city. 

Who Is Eligible?

• Homeowners in the East Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia, see the map for the boundaries of this program. Program staff will help owners determine if they meet the geographic qualifications. 
• Low- and moderate-income households (income qualifications apply). 
• Owner-occupied homes—the program is designed to help residents who live in their property. 

What Repairs Are Covered? 

The program focuses on essential exterior repairs that preserve the safety and historic integrity of homes, including: 

• Roof repairs and replacements 
• Masonry and porch stabilization 
• Window and door restoration 
• Gutter, downspout, and drainage improvements 
• Exterior carpentry and painting 

All work must be completed in line with historic preservation standards.

Qualifications:

To be eligible for this program, homeowners must meet the following qualifications: 

• Live in their home and have no more than three rental units in the home 
• Own and reside in a home within the boundaries of the East Parkside neighborhood (see above). 
• Have a clean title to the property. This means the property cannot have a “tangled title.” Here’s some resources on resolving a tangled title: City of Philadelphia – Get Help With Clearing Your Home’s Title and Philadelphia Legal Assistance – Tangled Title Basics
• Willing to agree to the terms of the five-year forgivable loan 
• Ability to contribute 10% of the costs of the needed repairs, plus pay the program fees. 
• Meet the following income qualifications (150% Area Media Income maximum): Household income (based on the previous year’s tax return) at or below the following amount (Adjusted Gross Income line 11 on your 2024 IRS 1040 Tax Return)
  • 1 person in household – $125,400 per year 
  • 2 people in household – $143,250 per year 
  • 3 people in household – $161,250 per year 
  • 4 people in household – $179,100 per year 
  • 5 people in household – $193,500 per year 
  • 6 people in household – $207,825 per year 
  • 7 people in household – $222,150 per year 
  • 8 people in household – $236,475 per year 

How The Program Works

1. Inquiry – Homeowners within the boundaries of East Parkside (see above) may submit a simple inquiry form to determine eligibility. Click here for the form. 
2. Determination of Eligibility – HHRP staff confirms eligibility based on information submitted in step one, including within the pilot project neighborhood, historic designation, income, and owner-occupancy. Staff will communicate with everyone who submits an inquiry within two weeks to let them know if they are eligible and what the next steps are. 
3. Assessment – HHRP staff conduct a site visit to identify priority repairs, develop a preliminary scope of work, and further review the program details. We will also take photos of the home’s exterior and areas of needed work. 
4. Application – Homeowner submits full application for program, including copy of tax return to verify income; proof of owner occupancy; and consent for title search. 
5. Approval – The Historic Home Repair Program Committee of the Preservation Alliance will review the complete application including the scope of work and make a recommendation to the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s Board of Directors for determination of approval or denial.
6. Forgivable Loan – Approved projects receive a forgivable loan. Homeowners are not required to repay funds if they remain in their home for the five-year period. 
7. Repairs – Qualified contractors complete the work under the Alliance’s oversight. 
8. Support & Education – Homeowners also have access to workshops on topics such as fire safety, stormwater management, and financial literacy. 

Why is there a cost share? 

The Historic Home Repair Program requires the homeowner to contribute 10% of the costs of the repair, as well as pay the program fees. The forgivable loan pays for 90% of the repair costs. Here’s an 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 – $10,000.00 
• Three windows restored at $1,200 each – $3,600.00 
• Porch columns replaced and painted – $4,000.00 

Total estimate – $17,600.00 

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 is done correctly and as the contractor specified it would be done) – $1,200.00 

Total program fees $1,878.50 

Total cost of project $19,478.50 

Homeowner contributes $1,760.00 + $1,878.50 = $3,638.50, Preservation Alliance contributes $15,840.00. 

What is a “forgivable loan?” 

The Preservation Alliance will provide a 90% five year forgivable loan to homeowners for exterior repairs in the qualified Parkside neighborhood during our pilot project launching 2025. This loan accrues no interest and requires no payments. It is fully forgiven (or erased) after five years, provided you don’t sell your home during that period. This is to encourage funding for homeowners and not real estate investors or flippers. If something comes up and you do need to sell your home before the five-year mark, we’ll prorate the loan repayment at 20% per year. So, if you sell your home after three years, 60% of the loan will be forgiven and you’ll owe 40% of the loan back. 

If you pass your home to a close relative through your will or other estate plan, this is called an intra-family transfer. Our program will not require repayment of the loan at the time of an intra-family transfer, but the regular repayment terms will apply if the family member sells the home to an outside party within the five-year term. 

Questions?

Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions or email us at HHRP@preservationalliance.com