The City of Milton Downtown CRA Residential Façade Improvement Program is intended to provide funding to upgrade the visual and aesthetic appearance of structures and property, increase property value, and reduce blight and to preserve historic structures within the City of Milton Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).
Donor Name: City of Milton
State: Florida
City: Milton
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/07/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $2,000
Details:
Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program is available to property owners of residences in the Downtown CRA only.
Any homeowner occupying the house in which grant funds are requested, and that meet the low income threshold as delineated in the sliding scale table herein shall be eligible for a reduced grant match. The grant may be paid directly to a vendor, paid as draws or a reimbursement to the Grantee. The Grant must be approved by the City Council prior to commencement of any work proposed to be completed with grant proceeds.
Funding Information
The program awards grants of up to $2,000 to be used exclusively for improvements to the exterior façade of a building. A 100% Grantee match is required, except for those homeowners applying for grant funds for the house in which they live.
Eligibility Criteria
- Property must be located within the Downtown CRA in the city limits of the City of Milton, Florida. Those structures that contain a mix of commercial and residential uses are ineligible to apply. However, residences containing licensed home occupations are still eligible. Existing, Non-Conforming Property may not apply.
- Property exempt from ad valorem property tax is eligible at a lower grant amount.
- Applicants must have all necessary approvals/permits/inspections. Any outstanding legal issues that could encumber the property or prohibit immediate use as a residence must be resolved or explained. All projects must comply with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Code, Life Safety Code and Florida Building Code.
- Unoccupied properties are eligible to receive the grant, but must be actively, continually, and publicly marketed on a verifiable source (CMLS, Zillow, FSBO, etc.) from the date of application until leased.
- Applicants must sign the program application and other related documents. Renters may apply only with property owner’s consent. Owners may apply only with renter’s consent, if leased.
- Applications are accepted prior to the deadline only. Applications received after the deadline will be returned unopened.
- Priority will be given based on the following criteria: first-time applicants; projects in the designated Historic District; projects in historically significant structures; and/or projects considered to be candidates for demolition within 12 months.
- Applicants may apply for one grant per fiscal year only.
- All grants are based on availability of funds. Grants are awarded until all funds are exhausted. If funds remain after the initial cycle, additional cycles, later in the year, may occur.
- Exterior improvements must be approved by staff for appropriateness. The applicant must meet with applicable City/County departments to determine required approvals and permits, if any.
- The City of Milton provides funding only. The City is not responsible for any project design, project management, construction management or oversight of any contractor/s.
- Once the project has been completed, the property must be eligible to obtain, or already have a certificate of occupancy, and have received the final inspection from the appropriate agencies.
- Applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity and ability to complete the project as described in the application. Applicants must detail how the project will be maintained long-term in “like-new” condition upon completion (minimum 5-years).
Eligible Improvements
Examples of eligible items include:
- Exterior ADA Handicapped Access to a Building
- Refurbishment or replacement of exterior walls, including repainting, repairs, tuck-pointing or re-siding
- New, repair or replacement of exterior windows and/or doors
- Repairing, replacing or adding cornices, entrances, doors, decorative detail, porches or other exterior features
- Signs, including the removal of old signs and the design production and installation of new signs. One attached sign may be eligible but is limited to 50% of the total award amount
- Demolition of exterior cosmetic features necessary to install new exterior cosmetic improvements
- Awnings or canopies over windows or walkways and other decorative improvements, including shutters
- Replacement, re-shingling or re-surfacing of the roof or mansard, provided that the roof contributes to the aesthetics of the façade. The roof features must be visible from the Right-of-Way
- Exterior Lighting or other design elements to enhance exterior character.
- Installation of a brick or textured driveway
- Repair or replacement of wooden picket fences or wrought iron fences that are fully visible from the street right-of-way
- Restoration of Architectural Features
- Exterior Painting
For more information, visit City of Milton.
