Help For Your House

Grants and Loans

The Conservation Society of San Antonio Building Grant Program
Grants are awarded annually for the restoration or rehabilitation of houses that are at least 50 years old. The most commonly granted amount is in the $5,000 range, which can be used towards exterior work that is not yet underway. The deadline to apply is in September with notifications in December. Please see our grants page  for more information.

Fuller Center For Housing
Homeowners in need can apply to a Fuller Center covenant partner to have their homes restored to a simple, decent living condition. Once repairs are complete, The Fuller Center works with each homeowner to help them structure an affordable repayment plan.

Tax Credits and Exemptions

Local Tax Exemptions 
A tax exemption is available for designated local landmarks and properties within local historic districts that undergo a substantial rehabilitation.  Exemptions are also available for all residential properties occupied by the owner in newly designated local historic districts at the time of designation.

Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit
Administered by the National Park Service and the Internal Revenue Service in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission.  A 20% income tax credit is available for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings that are determined by the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to be “certified historic structures.”

Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program  
The state historic tax credit is worth 25% of eligible rehabilitation costs and is available for buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and Texas State Antiquities Landmarks. The program is administered jointly by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in cooperation with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The following sources can help ensure that your repair or renovation project preserves your home’s historic features.

Guidance

Design Consultation
Free guidance provided by the City’s Office of Historic Preservation for proposed rehabilitation, new construction, and other projects.

Historic Homeowner Fair
This free annual event brings homeowners together with preservation experts, knowledgeable tradesmen, and City departments to discuss how to care for and maintain historic homes.

Secretary Of The Interior’s Standards For Rehabilitation
Used by the City to evaluate proposed projects for properties designated historic and to certify rehabilitation for federal tax purposes.  Also used by the Conservation Society to evaluate work proposed for its building grants.

Technical Preservation Services
The National Park Service provides online guidance for preserving, rehabilitating and restoring historic buildings. This site also includes information on sustainability, such as energy efficiency and new technology for historic buildings.

Rehabilitation Work

Certificate of Appropriateness (required for exterior work on properties with historic designations)
Links to codes & ordinances, design guidelines, forms and applications, violation reporting and more!

Rehabber Club
A community program created by the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation.  The club’s mission is to build and support a network of do-it-yourselfers, craftsmen, contractors, historic homeowners, realtors, and everyday citizens to revitalize San Antonio’s historic buildings.  It also keeps a contractor list.

Scott’s Historic Home Improvement Contractors List
This free site provides information about various types of contractors used by local owners of historic homes.

S.T.A.R. (Students Together Achieving Revitalization) Program
A public-private partnership program to provide minor exterior home repairs and maintenance to homeowners within local historic districts.  This is a free service provided to eligible property owners.

Wood Window Restoration
The City’s Office of Historic Preservation offers window restoration workshops at the Historic Homeowner Fair and as part of Rehabber Club.