FAQs | MiPlace

HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDING

Do you have money to help me fix my property?

SHPO does not have grant programs available to private property owners, including homeowners. SHPO offers two specific grant opportunities each year to properties which qualify: the Certified Local Government (CLG) program grant available to participating local units of government, and the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) grant available to lighthouse stewards.
Learn more about those SHPO grant opportunities here: https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/programs-and-services/
The primary financial incentive tool offered for preserving historic properties in Michigan are historic rehabilitation tax credits. Two separate programs exist, the 20% Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (available to income-producing properties only), and the 25% State Historic Preservation Tax Credit (available for residential and commercial properties). Each program has a specific application and qualification requirements.
Learn more about each at this webpage: https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/programs-and-services/historic-preservation-tax-credits/

Depending on the design and use of your property, other entities may offer grant or loan funding for historic property preservation activities. This list is not exhaustive:

Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) loans for predevelopment or intervention activities: https://www.mhpn.org/loans/
Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) grants for municipal or non-profit museum and cultural organizations: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/industries/macc/
Michigan Architecture Foundation (MAF) grants for architectural preservation and education: https://michiganarchitecturalfoundation.org/
Barn preservation: http://www.barnbelievers.org/ ,
Sacred place preservation: National Fund for Sacred Places | National Trust for Historic Preservation (savingplaces.org), Partners for Sacred Places: https://sacredplaces.org/
African American/Underrepresented Community preservation: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/project-grants.htm
For homeowners: State Historic Preservation Tax Credit: https://mi.gov/hpcredit, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): , Local or county Weatherization program (for energy efficiency project such as new roof or insulation, window replacement, etc.)

For business owners: Federal and/or State Historic Preservation Tax Credits: https://mi.gov/hpcredit, MEDC programs: www.miplace.org, Michigan Main Street: https://www.miplace.org/programs/michigan-main-street/, Small Business Administration opportunities: https://www.sba.gov/, local Tax Increment Financing (TIF)/Downtown Development Authority (DDA)funding; CDBG.

RESEARCH, IDENTIFY AND DESIGNATE HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Will SHPO conduct research on my behalf?

SHPO staff are unable to conduct specific research for individuals and professionals/consultants. While we may be able to point you towards resources, we do not retain the types of records that might be found in a library or archive, for example. Links to more information about researching historic properties can be found throughout our website. If you require further assistance, we highly recommend engaging the services of a professional preservation consultant with experience in researching historic properties. A list of such individuals can be found here https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/research-resources/consultant-resources/