The New York Landmarks Conservancy

About

Dedicated to preserving, revitalizing, and reusing New York’s architecturally significant buildings. Learn more about us at http://www.nylandmarks.org/

Story

The Conservancy’s combination of financial assistance and technical expertise distinguishes us from other, similar groups. We are one of the largest preservation groups in the country, and very few can match our range of nationally recognized programs and resources.

The Historic Properties Fund is one of the nation’s largest revolving loan funds used exclusively for historic preservation. It has committed over $25 million in low-interest loans to more than 240 buildings in all five boroughs. The loans target homeowners in lower and moderate income areas, small apartment buildings and historic facilities owned by non-profit and religious institutions. The Landmarks Conservancy staff provides important project management assistance to assess building needs, develop an affordable financial package, find appropriate architects and contractors, and help ensure successful restorations and repairs.

The Emergency Grant Program addresses immediate hazards to landmark properties owned by non-profits organizations. It has underwritten over $545,000 in grants since its establishment in 1999.

The Sacred Sites Program — one of the first programs in the country to assist landmark religious properties — provides loans, grants, and technical assistance throughout the State. In addition, the program hosts regular workshops to help congregations with everything from energy conservation to fundraising.

The Technical Services program provides expert architectural and preservation advice to property owners, developers, and contractors. Staff members answer hundreds of calls and makes dozens of site visits each year.

The City Ventures Fund offers grants and loans to non-profit developers of affordable housing and other services that benefit lower-income communities, in non-landmark, architecturally significant buildings. It has provided over $1.5 million in financial assistance, resulting in the creation of more than 800 affordable apartments. The City Ventures Fund also promotes neighborhood renewal through grants and project management assistance to non-profit community organizations that own historic buildings or rehabilitate older buildings for low and moderate income housing and social service needs. Our grants have helped housing projects supportive of people living with AIDS/HIV and victims of domestic violence, a Lower East Side community center and dozens of other properties.