Last month, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) introduced the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (H.R. 3940, S. 657) in the House. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this year. This bill would create a federal tax credit to encourage revitalization of distressed homes. In many parts of the country, the cost of purchasing and renovating a home is greater than the value of the home's sale price. The bill would create a tax credit to cover the cost between building or rehabilitating a home in these areas and the price at which they can be sold, up to 35% of the total development cost. Similar legislation was introduced during the last Congress and garnered significant bipartisan support.

The bill focuses on communities with the greatest need, by targeting distressed areas. This includes neighborhoods with high poverty rates, incomes below the area median income; and home values that are below the metro or state median value. The Neighborhood Homes Coalition put together an interactive map where you can see what neighborhoods could qualify for funding. The Coalition estimates that the bill could lead to 500,000 homes over 10 years being rehabilitated or constructed.

This legislation has the potential to significantly assist owners of historic and older homes. Preservation Action will continue to monitor this important legislation.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee recently held a hearing on several important National Park related bills. This included legislation to establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Illinois (S. 384) and legislation to establish the Emmett Till and the Mamie Till-Mobley and Roberts Temple National Historic Site in Illinois (S. 562). Michael A. Caldwell, Associate Director of Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands at the National Park Service testified before the subcommittee, and his testimony noted the agency's support for the effort to recognize these two important sites.

S. 384 would establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, which was the site of race riots in 1908 where white mobs killed at least six Black Americans and burned several Black businesses and homes. The riot helped lead to the establishment of the NAACP the following year. A special resource study was recently completed of the site which found that it met the criteria for designation.

S. 562 would establish the Emmett Till and the Mamie Till-Mobley and Roberts Temple National Historic Site in Chicago, where the funeral of Emmett Till, who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, was held. The funeral was attended by thousands and helped raise the Nation's awareness of injustices experienced by Black Americans.

A reminder that the National Park Service is currently accepting applications for the History of Equal Rights grant program and the Underrepresented Communities grant program. Applications are due this month.

The History of Equal Rights grant program helps preserve sites related to the struggle to achieve equal rights in America. Currently $5 million is available in funding through the program. Applications are due July 11, 2023.

The Underrepresented Communities grant program aims to diversify the National Register of Historic Places by supporting the survey, inventory, or nomination of new sites or amending of previous listings, that help tell the stories of communities that are currently underrepresented. Currently $1.25 million is available in funding through the program. Applications are due July 18, 2023.

Both of these programs are funded through the Historic Preservation Fund and help to preserve places that tell a more diverse and inclusive American story. Don't miss out, learn more about these important grant programs and apply today!

National Park Service: "Historic Preservation Certification Application Submission is Going Electronic"

Axios: "Mapping Historic LGBTQ Sites Amid Gentrification and Fading Memories"

Louisiana: "Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Extending, Expanding State HTC"

Pennsylvania: "Announcing Grant Recipients for the PA African American Cemetery Stewardship Program"

Maine: "Maine Preservation Seeks Nominations for Most Endangered Historic Places"