| Grant name | Type | Est. value | Use for | Eligibility | Checklist | Steps | Link | Contact | Deadline | Firm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SBA 504 Loan Program | Federal | $1,000,000–$2,000,000 | Below-market fixed-rate financing for rehab construction costs — not a grant but reduces financing cost by ~1.5–2% vs conventional | For-profit business entity Net worth < $15M / net income < $5M (avg 2 yrs) Owner-occupied commercial real estate Job creation or community development goal | 0/4 | 5 | Ready | — | Bay Area Development Company info@badc.org | Rolling — apply through a Certified Development Company (CDC) | — |
Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) | Federal | $440,000–$560,000 | Qualified rehabilitation expenditures — structural, facade, mechanical, interior finishes | Listed on National Register of Historic Places Building is income-producing (commercial use) Rehabilitation meets Secretary of Interior Standards QREs exceed adjusted basis (>$5,000) Part II application submitted to SHPO | 0/6 | 7 | Ready | — | NPS Western Region nps_tax@nps.gov | Rolling — file with tax return | The Federal HTC requires a preservation architect to certify |
California State Historic Tax Credit | State | $110,000–$140,000 | Stacks on top of Federal HTC — same QREs, additional 20% state credit | Certified historic structure (NR or CA Register) Income-producing property Rehab meets OHP Standards CA SHPO Part 2 approval required Credit reservation filed during application window | 0/4 | 4 | Ready | — | CA Office of Historic Preservation calshpo@parks.ca.gov | Applications open Jan–Mar annually | — |
CA Historical Building Code (CHBC) | State | $80,000–$150,000 | Construction cost savings — alternative compliance paths reduce seismic/fire retrofit costs for historic buildings | Qualified historical building (NR or local landmark) Project requires building permits CHBC compliance requested during permit application | 0/3 | 4 | Ready | — | Local Building Department Historic Building Permit Coordinator | Apply during permit process | CHBC seismic alternatives for {{ADDRESS}} require a structur |
Mills Act Property Tax Reduction | Local | $18,000–$26,000/yr | Annual property tax savings — assessed value recalculated on income approach, not market value | Property in a participating municipality Designated local, state, or NR historic landmark Owner agrees to maintain historic character per contract No delinquent property taxes | 0/4 | 5 | Ready | — | Local Historic Preservation Office Historic Preservation Planner | Applications accepted year-round; savings begin next tax year | — |
Richmond Historic Preservation Fund | Local | $5,000–$25,000 | Facade restoration, signage preservation — covers character-defining exterior feature restoration | Property in City of Richmond Designated or contributing historic structure Project restores or preserves historic character-defining features Owner match typically required (50%) | 0/4 | 4 | Ready | — | City of Richmond Historic Preservation planning@ci.richmond.ca.us | Grants awarded quarterly | — |