Programs & Incentives
The GCRA offers a variety of incentive programs designed to encourage neighborhood preservation, economic development and community partnerships within the district.
Business Improvement Grant Program
Project Manager: Daniel Blumberg
blumbergdn@gainesvillefl.gov
(352) 393-8208
The program offers a 50% matching grant, paid as a reimbursement, for eligible improvements to commercial building exteriors. This program is offered district-wide. GCRA District Map
Community Partnership Grant Program
Project Manager: Daniel Blumberg
blumbergdn@gainesvillefl.gov
(352) 393-8208
The Community Partnership Grant Program offers up to $5,000 in matching grant funds to assist local community organizations to enable special programming within the GCRA District.
Housing Programs
Contact: Chelsea Bakaitis, Interim Housing and Community Development Supervisor
(352) 393-8201
bakaitisch@gainesvillefl.gov
The GCRA developed five programs that address a variety of housing-related needs within the district. All of the City’s housing-related programs are being managed by the City of Gainesville’s Housing and Community Development Division.
Currently Available as of 9/30/2022
Heirs’ Property Assistance Program
The program offers probate legal assistance to heirs’ property owners to clear the title to the homes so owners can take advantage of property rights. The purpose of the program is to increase neighborhood stability, grow individual and family wealth in Gainesville’s underserved communities, and increase access to attainable housing. This program is offered district-wide. Map of eligible areas
My Neighborhood Program
The program offers $25,000 towards the purchase of a home or lot within eligible neighborhoods. To be eligible, recipients must have lived in a program neighborhood for at least three years before 2011. The purpose of the program is to encourage strong community connections by incentivizing long-term homeownership within neighborhoods. The eligible neighborhoods are Cedar Grove II, Greater Duval, Fifth Avenue, North Lincoln Heights, Pleasant Street, Porters, Springhill, and Sugarhill. Map of Eligible Neighborhoods
The next application period for this program will run from May 1, 2022, until July 31, 2022.
Home Energy and Water Efficiency Initiative
Through a partnership with the Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC), home energy tune-ups are available to eligible property owners (homesteaders and landlords) and renters in order to lower the energy cost burden of district residents. The purpose of this program is to encourage safe, well-designed, high-quality housing to support the existing housing stock that provides housing options for long-term homeowners and renters.
Applications are submitted through the Community Weatherization Coalition and are available on their website.
Programs Coming Soon
Historic Home Stabilization Program
This program will provide stabilization work on historic houses within eligible neighborhoods. The purpose of this program is to promote the preservation of historic buildings through proper rehabilitation and prevent demolition by neglect.
Eligible neighborhoods include: Fifth Avenue, Pleasant Street, Porters Quarters, and Springhill.
Neighborhood Paint Program
The program provides free exterior pressure washing and painting services to homeowners within Eligible Neighborhoods.
Due to the high volume of applications received, the Neighborhood Paint Program is no longer accepting applications for this year. Applications received at this time will be added to a notification list for consideration next year.
Since opening in April 2021, 43 homes have been painted through this pilot Program.