Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grants
The Springfield Community Preservation Committee offers two separate grant programs. The first is our annual grant process and the second is a program offered for homeowners who live in historic districts. Please make sure you're using the correct application for the desired program.
Annual Community Preservation Act grants
Applications for the annual Community Preservation Act grants are now available for the 2025 cycle.
The Community Preservation Committee held a remote public workshop on Tuesday January 7 at 6:00 p.m. A question-and-answer session followed.
To view the PDF of the presentation
Springfield Community Preservation 2025 Grant Application
Community Preservation Act grants are for projects in the following categories:
1) Open Space 2) Recreation 3) Community Housing 4) Historic Resource.
The deadline to apply is Thursday February 27 at 4:00 p.m.
There two ways to deliver applications:
A drop box will be located inside City Hall at the Election Office Room 25.
Applications may be dropped off during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 24 through Thursday February 27
OR MAIL TO:
Springfield Community Preservation Committee ℅ Election Office Room 25, 36 Court Street Springfield, MA 01103
Contact for more information: CPC@SpringfieldCityHall.com Telephone: 413-530-1268
Historic Home Restoration Grant
The Historic Home Restoration Program (HHRP) offers grants to homeowners who live in the following Local Historic Districts: Quadrangle-Mattoon, Forest Park Heights, McKnight, Maple Hill, Lower Maple, Ridgewood and Colony Hills. Program funds can be used for exterior items only and includes the restoration of original windows and doors, purchase and installation of energy efficient storm windows, restoration of porches, exterior carpentry repairs, painting, roofs, chimney and other masonry work. The program was approved for funding and a lottery was held on Tuesday December 3, 2024, during the regular scheduled meeting of the SCPC at 6:00 p.m. Watch the live lottery.
*Note* If you've submitted a previous application, it remains on file and will be entered into the next lottery, pending new funding. A notice will be posted on this page and on the committee Facebook page.
Grantees who have been awarded funding in a previous cycle are eligible to apply again but must skip a cycle and submit a new application.
If you think you may qualify for an upcoming lottery, applications are accepted during the year until a deadline is posted. Fill out the Online Preliminary Application and View Full Guidelines
What is the Community Preservation Act (CPA)?
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was created in September 2000 by state law (MGL Chapter 44B). It allows cities and towns to adopt a property tax surcharge to help fund projects that preserve the character of the community. Springfield voters adopted the CPA on November 8, 2016 and it went into effect on July 1, 2017. In Springfield, the CPA fund is created via a 1.5% surcharge on real estate taxes for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
What projects qualify for a CPA grant?
CPA funds can be used for Open Space & Recreation, Historic Preservation, and Community Housing. The Department of Revenue (DOR) Community Preservation Fund Allowable Spending Chart is a handy quick reference to see if your project qualifies. The Community Preservation Coalition is a statewide resource and offers a detailed look at allowable uses. See the list below for CPC projects funded in prior years. To view the application for a particular funded project send an email to klee@springfieldcityhall.com
Who are the members of the Springfield Community Preservation Committee?
In accordance with Chapter 267 of the Acts of 2000, a Community Preservation Committee shall be established. In Springfield, a nine-member committee implements the process to recommend project grants to the City Council for approval. The Community Preservation Committee (SCPC) members are appointed from each of the commissions below in addition to three neighborhood appointees by the City Council President. See Springfield Chapter 16 Boards,Commissions and Committees.
SCPC members serve a three year term and may be reappointed.
- Gloria DeFillipo, Planning Board representative;
- Juanita Martinez, Conservation Commission representative;
- Robert McCarroll, Chair, Springfield Preservation Trust representative;
- Judith Crowell, Historical Commission representative;
- Willie Thomas, Housing Authority representative;
- Clinton Harris, Park Commission representative;
- Rhonda Sherrell, Neighborhood representative;
- Stephen Bosworth, Neighborhood representative;
- Yolanda Cancel, Neighborhood representative
A vacancy on one of the commission seats is filled by that respective commission.
A vacancy for a neighborhood representative seat is appointed by the Springfield City Council President. When a vacancy occurs, the President contacts the neighborhood councils/associations (found here: Neighborhood Councils: Community Development, City of Springfield, MA (springfield-ma.gov) and requests they submit a candidate who is interested in serving on the Community Preservation Committee. The President then makes a selection from the submitted candidates and appoints the new member. The new member is sworn-in by the City Clerk. When there is an upcoming open seat, it will be posted here. There are no vacancies at this time.
How to contact the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)
- By email: cpc@springfieldcityhall.com
- By telephone 413-530-1268
- On Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpringfieldCommunityPreservationCommittee
- By mail: Community Preservation Committee, City Hall, 36 Court Street, Springfield MA 01103
- To reach the Administrative Consultant: klee@Springfieldcityhall.com
- To view the meeting agenda and minutes
FAQs
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Are there homeowner exemptions to the 1.5% surcharge?
YES! Households that qualify for low-income, or low or moderate-income housing, as defined by M.G.L. c. 44B, Section 2 are exempt from the CPA surcharge in its entirety. Next deadline for exemptions is 4/1/23
Community Preservation Act Exemption application.
Review income limits for a CPA surcharge exemption
Historic Resources
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Where can I find information about a historic home or property?
The Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) database (inventory) has surveyed properties compiled by the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC) http://mhc-macris.net/
You can search local historic properties through the 1939 Works Progress Administration (WPA) https://www.springfieldpreservation.org/wpa/
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Are there guidelines for restoring or repairing a historic property?
YES! The Secretary of the Interior's Standards has an extensive website for treatment of historic properties https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf
Any work on historic properties requires a petition to the Springfield Historical Commission.
Housing
Springfield and its Neighborhoods 2019 (Census Data)
Open Space, Recreation, Conservation
City of Springfield Open Space & Recovery Action Plan 2015–2022
Additional Resources
City of Springfield 2024 Community Preservation Annual Meeting
City of Springfield Community Preservation Plan 2025
Department of Revenue (DOR) Community Preservation Fund Allowable Spending Chart
Community Preservation Act: http://www.communitypreservation.org/text-legislation
Community Preservation Ordinance: https://ecode360.com/32319903?highlight=community%20preservation%20committee#32319903
Community Preservation Coalition: http://www.communitypreservation.org/