Steeg Law is pleased to shine the community spotlight on the Preservation Resource Center’s Revival Grants program. 

The Preservation Resource Center’s (PRC) Revival Grants program is designed to help both low-to moderate-income homeowners and to preserve the historic architecture and culture of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods. The PRC gives free home repairs to low-income homeowners in historic districts. The organization launched the initiative in Tremé, where it focuses on repairing historic houses and resolving homeowners’ violations that pertain to the city’s historic district code.

The program, which marked one year in March of 2021, is especially significant for Partner Margaret Glass who is on PRC’s Board of Directors. “Homeowners are being helped, one project at a time, throughout a year that brought so much extra hardship to so many,” says Margaret. “I encourage everyone to learn more about the Preservation Resource Center Revival Grants program.”

The organization’s hope is that this assistance will allow these long-term residents to remain in their homes and their neighborhoods longer. In order for New Orleans to thrive, its residents must have housing security. The Revival Grants are playing a small role, in allowing residents of historic districts to stay in their homes, and continue building generational wealth in their families.

Initial funding sources for PRC’s Revival Grants program include: the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the 1772 Foundation, Hancock Whitney Bank and others. To date, eight projects have been completed to help homeowners with a multitude of issues, including replacing deteriorating porches and columns, restoring rotting windows and sealing them tight, painting, gutter installation and general maintenance.

How the Revival Grants Program Works

The PRC will provide funding to eligible homes that have been cited for violations by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC). The grants only cover minor repairs to the exterior of each property.

Examples of eligible repairs:

• Replacing inappropriate materials used for doors, windows, shutters, fences, etc.
• Repairing or replacing damaged gutters, siding, trim work
• Other violations to HDLC guidelines

Who Qualifies

This program assists low-to-moderate-income homeowners who live in the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, Tremé District. By helping these homeowners to repair and maintain their homes, they will be able to remain in their houses and pass their property on to future generations. The Preservation Resource Center will evaluate homeowners by need and scope of work.

Qualifications Requirements

• Must be a low-to moderate-income household as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Must reside in the Tremé Local Historic District. Homeowners can verify if they are located within the Tremé HDLC boundaries using property.nola.gov
• Must be a homeowner and only own one property

Learn more about PRC’s Revival Grants program >