RESTORE
YOUR HISTORIC PROPERTY
Our Historic Loan Program empowers owners to repair and restore their historic properties with low-cost loans paired with technical preservation assistance.
Loans Now Available Throughout Sarasota County
Our historic buildings and neighborhoods comprise the character that is unique to Sarasota, and caring for these historic properties presents some distinct challenges. That is why our loans are designed to be flexible to meet your needs, and are coupled with hands-on technical support to ensure affordable, quality repairs are completed in accordance with preservation standards. This protects your access to the numerous benefits and incentives available to historic property owners.
Call today to learn more: 941-529-1833
Historic Loan Program
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation's Historic Loan Program offers affordable home repair loans for exterior renovation of historic homes. Flexible underwriting practices allow us to make loan funds available to homeowners who might not otherwise qualify for traditional bank lending, including retirees and those of low to moderate incomes.
KEY PILLARS:
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No cost to apply!
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No income restrictions, flexible terms and rates, and inquire without impacting your credit
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Full management and oversight of project, from start to finish.
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Partnering in good stewardship of the property for the life of the loan.
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Funds escrowed and paid to contractor directly.
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Protective covenant held on property for the life of the loan.
QUALIFYING PROPERTIES:
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50+ years old
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Potentially eligible for (or contributing to) a local or national historic designation or district
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Designation not required for participation.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:
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Structural remediation
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Exterior wood repair for siding and trim
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Exterior painting and sealing
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Rroof repair and replacement
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Porch restoration
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Masonry and stucco repair and sealing
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Tenting and WDO prevention
What Can We Help You Save?
Our historic buildings and neighborhoods comprise the character that is unique to Sarasota, and caring for these historic properties presents some distinct challenges. That is why our loans are designed to be flexible to meet your needs, and are coupled with hands-on technical support to ensure affordable, quality repairs are completed in accordance with preservation standards. This protects your access to the numerous benefits and incentives available to historic property owners.
Historic Loan Program Process
1. Inquiry & Pre-qualification
Complete the inquiry and pre-qualification forms. A member of our staff will get in touch to schedule a site visit to discuss priorities, budgeting and scope of work. Pre-qualification has no impact on your credit score.
2. Project Packet & Solicitation of Bids
Staff will prepare and discuss with you the details of the project including budget, scope of work and material specification. Contractors and tradespeople will conduct site visits as needed to prepare estimates.
3. Full Loan Application/Underwriting
Once you've decided to proceed, you will then complete the loan application. Staff will get board approval for the loan and prepare the documents for closing to record the mortgage and the protective covenant. The application may have an impact on your credit score.
4. Project Period
Loan funds are disbursed upon your authorization and with the approval of the Project Coordinator. Our team will closely monitor progress, and celebrate the successful completion with you. Staff stays in regular communication throughout the life of the loan to ensure your success.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
Check out some of our recent projects
Old Bradenton Road Project
Lustron Home Project
Historic Newtown Resilient Roots Initiative
Do you own a contributing property in the Newtown Historic District? Your home or building tells an important story. Learn more about how the Resilient Roots initiative helps you protect African American heritage and your legacy.
Resilient Roots: Empowered Preservation of the Newtown National Historic District
Through generous grant funding from the Newtown CRA (Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency), the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and The 1772 Foundation, the Resilient Roots initiative seeks to empower property owners in the historic district of Newtown with the tools to ensure this neighborhood survives for future generations.
Newtown Historic District
On April 19, 2024, the Newtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Originally platted in 1914, Newtown holds a rich African American heritage, including stories of the original development of Sarasota, the Civil Rights movement, and the endurance of a segregated population in a world stacked against them.
SAHP is dedicated to preserving the full story of Sarasota as it is embodied in our built environment.
How it works:
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Free consultations and assessments (like always)
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No cost to apply (ever)
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SAHP has extended its 8 year loan term to 12 years
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Grant monies pay for the interest and closing costs
This makes the monthly payments on a significant repair or restoration project more manageable over the life of the loan. When loan payments are made, the funds cycle back into the community to help your neighbors in the form of another loan. The button below will take you to the City of Sarasota page with a link to the full report.
Have questions? Give us a call at 941-529-1833 or send an email preservesrq@gmail.com
Support the Historic Loan Program
Your generous donation to the Historic Loan Program preserves affordable housing, safeguards neighborhood character, helps fight climate change through reduced carbon impact, slows displacement, nurtures the local economy, and improves the quality of life in Sarasota. Plus, because these loans revolve, your impact is exponential.
Your impact through donation:
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Preserves Affordable Housing - Our existing older, smaller homes are the largest source of affordable housing.
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Protects Neighborhood Character - Sense of place is preserved through a protective covenant that also discourages parcel assemblage.
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Reduces Ecological Impact - Dramatically reduces waste sent to the landfill and the carbon impact of demolition and new construction.
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Slows Gentrification - Assisting long-term residents maintain their homes decelerates displacement.
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Improves Quality of Life - Strengthens community by honoring the value of diversity, ensuring the physical artifacts remain to tell more complete stories.
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Nurtures Local Jobs - Local small businesses who live and work in Sarasota benefit from meaningful projects and community impact.
Why it matters
We empowers historic property owners to keep and maintain their property, prevent demolition, slow displacement, and safeguard the stories these places tell about who we were, are, and how we hope to be remembered.
In one year alone, between 2021 and 2022, 241 historic properties were demolished, most of them homes.
What sets us apart:
No other organization in Sarasota provides this kind of flexible financing, paired with technical preservation expertise, to support historic property owners in repairing, maintaining, and preserving their property.
We are also working to establish legislation to guide the growth in an intentional and thoughtful way.
Why we exist
Historic preservation is not about saving every single old building - it is about small businesses that cannot afford new construction; affordable housing; shaping our cultural narrative to tell the full story; and reducing the carbon emissions of demolition and new construction. We exist to educate and advocate for the future of Sarasota by safeguarding its past.
THANK YOU TO OUR LOAN PROGRAM SPONSORS
