The Margate City Commission has approved a new Property Improvement Grant Program (PIP) that provides a 50% reimbursement grant of up to $50,000 for commercial or multi-family properties and common areas and building exteriors owned by condominium or homeowner associations. The program also provides 50% reimbursement up to $10,000 for improvements to single-family properties or multi-family (individually owned) homesteaded properties. 

The reimbursement grant is for comprehensive fixed capital and other improvements to the property. The program intends to encourage property and business owners to restore, renovate and improve their property, thereby improving the area's visual quality and attractiveness and increasing property values in Our Margate.

Due to the high volume of applications received to date, applications for the City’s Property Improvement Program are no longer being accepted. After a review of the applications already received by the City, if funding is available, the program will reopen to accept additional applications.

Eligible Properties

•    Commercial properties (applicant may be the building owner or a tenant with the owner's approval)

•    Multi-Family properties (work on exterior or common areas only)

•    Property owned by Condominiums or Homeowner Associations (limited to work on the exterior or common areas only)

•    Single Family or Multi Family (individually owned) homesteaded properties (up to $10,000)

Eligible Improvements

The PIP grant will reimburse the owner for eligible costs associated with eligible fixed improvements to the exterior of the property. Minor interior work may be included as part of a comprehensive exterior renovation. The following list contains items that may be considered eligible improvements under the PIP grant program: 

•    Exterior painting

•    Exterior Lighting

•    Signage

•    Landscaping

•    Driveway Improvements/Replacement (addition, widening, circular, pavers, concrete, etc.) Asphalt driveways are not eligible

•    Paving parking areas, walkways, or patios

•    Impact-resistant improvements: windows, entry doors, and garage doors

•    Air-conditioning: 

     -Central air only - if converting from window units currently visible from public right-of-way

     -A/C change out – up to $2,500

•    Roof repair or replacement (if visible from public right-of-way)

•    Structural repair

•    Concrete restoration

•    Electrical work

•    Plumbing work including cast iron pipe replacement

•    Fencing (Designer fence, i.e. PVC, iron.) Chain link and wood fences are not eligible 

Ineligible Improvements

The following properties are not eligible for grant funds under the PIP grant program:

•    Individually owned residential properties that are not homesteaded

•    Properties listed for sale

•    Properties in foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings

•    Properties with City or County liens. Other liens to be considered on a case-by-case basis

•    Properties with active Florida Building Code or City violation(s) – To be considered on a case-by-case basis as to whether the proposed improvements will resolve the violation(s) or if the violations must be corrected before the approval of grant funding. 

•    Properties that have received other Margate grant funds (i.e., SHIP, HOME, CDBG within the last five years)

Ineligible for funding

The following factors will disqualify the owner from eligibility under the PIP grant program:

•    Duplication of funding – Funding for improvements already funded by other federal, state, municipal, or private sources, grants, or as part of an insurance claim, settlement, or similar is not eligible. 

•    Funding for work that has already commenced at the time of application submittal, review, or approval 

•    Funding for work that already has submitted or approved permits at the time of application will be considered on a case-by-case basis 

•    Owner-builder permitted work (all permitted work must be conducted by a licensed contractor)

•    Grants for each individual unit owner of multi-family properties for exterior or common area improvements

•    More than one grant award per property and/or per project

Terms and Conditions

Grants are limited to properties located within the City of Margate. Program funding is contingent upon an annual appropriation by the City of Margate. The City of Margate reserves the right to cancel this program at any time, before grant approval, without notice, if sufficient funds are determined unavailable. The City of Margate retains the right to display and advertise properties that receive PIP funding. 

Initial applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete initial applications will move down the application list until considered complete by City staff. The order of grant-funded project approval will vary based on the date all plans and permits are received and approved. Following a review and approval of the complete application, the City will issue a notice of grant award to the owner identifying the qualifying improvements and the maximum amount of funding to be provided to the owner upon completion of the improvements.

Grant funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis contingent upon final, approved inspections from all applicable governmental entities and submittal and staff verification of receipts and other documents related to authorized expenditures.

Checklist

The following checklist may not include all items specific to the Program or your project. Please contact the City at pip@margatefl.com or at 954-935-5324, if you have any questions regarding program requirements.

What documentation do I need to apply for the Property Improvement Program Grant?

•    Driver’s License or other government-issued ID with a photo

•    Before image(s) of the area of your property that you plan to improve

•    Contractor Name and License Number (when applicable)

•    At least one bid/estimate from licensed contractors for EACH ITEM in scope of work.  

•    Approval of plans: 

     -Approval of plans by the property owner for commercial tenant applicants

     - Approval of plans by the Association and/or Community Development District (“CDD”) for improvements to homes, condos, or other multi-family property that is governed by an Association or CDD

     - Approval of plans by the Association and/or CDD for improvements to common areas

•    Letter of Consent to submit an application - from the property owner (for commercial tenants) or condominium or homeowner association board (for common area property).

NOTE: ONE PROJECT PER PROPERTY. Example: Impact-resistant items, such as doors and windows, may be considered as one project. Roof replacement and windows are considered two projects.

What documentation do I need to provide for reimbursement by the City for the Property Improvement Program Grant?

•    Invoices

•    Proof of partial and final payments to the contractor (cash payments not accepted)

•    Permit closeout documents – final inspection, certificate of occupancy, etc.

NOTE: Work that has already commenced at the time of application submission, review, or approval, is not eligible for funding.     

•    W-9 Tax Form  

•    After-improvement images