Preservation Action Alert
Write Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez
Support Senator Toni Atkins and SB 451!
Greetings!

The State Historic Tax Credit (SB 451) is currently being reviewed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and we need your help to get it through! Please write to the Assembly Appropriations Chair Lorena Gonzalez (San Diego) and the members of the Assembly Appropriation Committee to support SB 451.

On February 21, Senate President pro tempore Toni G. Atkins introduced SB 451, a bill to create a state historic tax credit. This legislation builds on work done in 2014 with the California Preservation Foundation, and the American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC), and SOHO to promote tax credits. We are working again with CPF and the AIACC to pass this crucial legislation.

Under the leadership of Senator Toni Atkins (San Diego) SB 451 passed the State Senate with a 36-0 vote. Now we need your help to make it across the finish line!
 
Thirty-five states already have a state historic tax credit. SB 451 will create a much needed credit to incentivize the preservation of historic buildings, and can facilitate the creation of housing within historic buildings. Over the past 10 years, more than a third of all tax credit projects in California have improved or included new housing. If passed, this bill will:

  • Create a state 20% tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic structures.
  • Create a 25% tax credit for certain projects (local, state or federal surplus properties, affordable housing, structures in designated census tracts, Base Realignment and Closure Zones and Transit-Oriented Development areas).
  • Allow the use of the credit by income-producing properties and owner-occupied buildings, including single-family residences.
  • Provide a $50,000,000 annual aggregate cap on the tax credit program plus the unused allocation tax credit from the preceding year.
  • Establish a review process to ensure that the development projects supported by this tax credit.


What can you do to help?

  1. Write a letter of support. A sample letter is provided below.
  2. Send your letter to Assembly Member Gonzalez.
  3. Send your letter to the San Diego members of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Toni Atkins, and copy SOHO (contacts below)
San Diego Members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee

District 73 - Assemblyman William P. Brough

District 74 - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris

District 77 - Assemblyman Brian Maienschein

District 39 - Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (San Diego)

California Preservation Foundation

Save Our Heritage Organisation

Sample Letter

Dear Assembly Member NAME ,
 
(I or organization you represent ) am writing in support of SB 451, a bill that will authorize a 20 percent state income tax credit for the rehabilitation of certified historic structures. Preserving the integrity of local historic structures serves not only as an important acknowledgement to our city’s rich past, but as a way for entire communities to benefit from the economic development of such properties.
 
The tax credits provided by SB 451 will incentivize the restoration of neglected and underused buildings in communities across California. Restoring these buildings will create local construction industry jobs and increase local revenues by adding property value as well as provide for restoration of buildings that include affordable housing, transit-oriented development and improve the safety of our historic buildings.
 
[If you have specific examples of the impact of this bill please include here.]
State Historic Tax Credits make historic rehabilitation financially feasible, leverage significant private investment, and are a consistently strong return on state investment. We look forward to joining the 35 other states that have successful state historic tax credit programs and seek your support.
 
Thank you for your commitment to preserving California’s heritage through your support of SB 451.
 
Sincerely,
Your Name and Title (if applicable)