The City of Albany is pleased to offer the Renovation Matching Grant Program. The grant is available to property owners for restoration, rehabilitation, and/or repair of historic properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Grant funding is limited and competitive. Grants typically average $2,000, but larger awards may be granted as funds allow and projects warrant.
Grant applications are available on this page and in the Community Development department on the second floor of City Hall. The first round of complete grant applications will be reviewed on July 17, 2024, with additional reviews until all funds are committed or time runs out.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
The following standards must be met to be eligible for the matching grant:
- The building must be constructed before 1946 and be in one of Albany’s National Register Historic Districts or listed in the National Register individually.
- Buildings must be rated historic-contributing if located in a district. To find the rating of your building, search your address here: Historic Inventory. Under "rating" it will say "Historic Contributing" if you qualify.
- Projects must be visible from adjacent streets, be on the exterior, and exclude new construction/additions.
Eligible Projects
Eligible Projects
Projects that restore integrity to the architectural style by restoring missing or altered historic features or removing incompatible features visible from the street.
An example project is shown below. Other examples include, but are not limited to: front porch and stair projects (balustrades, newel posts, etc.) and removing vinyl or aluminum windows.
Original
Altered
Reconstructed
Projects that repair or replace in-kind deteriorated historic features visible from the street
OR
maintenance projects that preserve the integrity, safety, and stability of portions of the house.
Examples of projects include but are not limited to: repair or in-kind replacement of decorative features, porch parts, columns, stairs, balusters/handrails, newel posts, porch flooring and porch roofs, windows, doors, siding, foundations, chimneys, other exterior features, and paint when accompanied by extensive rehabilitation.
Additional consideration will be given to projects that:
- Are for residential buildings; or
- Have a positive influence on other threatened or poorly maintained historic properties in the Hackleman Historic District; or
- Help restore one of Albany’s most unique and/or historically significant resources, which are those that are eligible for the National Register individually.
Grant Requirements
Grant Requirements
- Minimum Match: All grant projects require a 1:1 match.
- For projects that require historic review, applications and fees must be submitted for approval (either by the Landmarks Commission (LC), or staff, depending on the project) in conjunction with grant applications. City staff may consider alternative arrangements with advance notice. All applicants seeking funding for projects requiring historic review are urged to notify the City of their intent to apply at the earliest opportunity.
- Projects must meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Copies of the Standards are available online or at the Community Development department.
- Completion of 106 and NEPA documents is required for all development projects if selected. City staff will discuss additional requirements if selected.
- Grant recipients must complete one interim progress report.
- Before, during, and after photographs are required. Photographs are required in digital format (300 dpi or higher, jpeg, or tiff).
- All necessary Historic Review and building permits must be obtained.
- Any contractor performing work on the project must be licensed and bonded for the type of work planned.
- A project sign identifying grant support must be displayed in a prominent location at each project site while project work is in progress. (The sign will be provided by the City of Albany.)
- If necessary, an inspection of your property by the City and or a LC member will be made to understand the proposed work and determine eligibility.
- If the scope of the project warrants, a covenant and preservation agreement must be executed to ensure that after the grant-assisted work is completed, the owner(s) will maintain the premises for a minimum of 5 years to preserve the historical significance and integrity of the features, materials, appearance, workmanship, and environment that made the property eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This will be determined in conjunction with the State Historic Preservation Office.
- Grant funds are taxable. If selected, grant recipients will receive 1099 form(s) for the tax year when funds are paid out.
- All receipts and documentation of expenditures must be submitted with digital photographs of the completed project by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2025. Submit information in person or mail to: Alyssa Schrems, Community Development Department, 333 Broadalbin Street SW, Albany OR 97321. She can also be reached at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 541-791-0176 for additional information.
