Assistance for creating new upper-story housing units
This assistance program offers a zero-interest loan up to $8,000 per dwelling unit ($32,000 per property) for life/safety requirements for providing new upper-story housing in downtown structures. Funds may be used for fire-suppression systems, emergency egress, fire-rated construction, and similar improvements.
To be eligible, the structure must be located in the DC (Downtown Commercial) zoning district or in the UC (Mixed Use Urban Corridor) zoning district with commercial on the ground floor. The proposed housing space must be vacant or previously a non-residential use, and require life/safety improvements in order to be occupied for residential purposes. Eligible improvements are limited to interior renovations or those that provide required life/safety improvements necessary for residential occupancy, which includes (but not limited to) fire-suppression systems, emergency egress improvements, fire-rated construction, etc.
An application form and additional details regarding eligibility, requirements, and financing can be found in the document links below.
Applications may be submitted anytime. All applications must secure approval from city staff before funds are distributed and before work commences on eligible improvements.