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Building Facades: The State and Cities Co-Finance Two-Thirds of the Costs

Residents of multi-apartment buildings that are cultural heritage or are located in cultural-historical units could soon receive two-thirds of non-repayable funds for facade restoration. This is anticipated by the Facade Management Program of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, which is currently in public consultation.

The co-financing model is straightforward: the cost is divided into three equal parts – the state, the city/municipality (JLS), and the community of co-owners. The total state and local support can amount to up to 300 thousand euros per building. A price ceiling per square meter of facade is also introduced: 300 euros per square meter for individually protected buildings and 250 euros for buildings in the protection zone.

What is co-financed? The arrangement of street facades and other facades visible from public areas, part of roofing works (up to the level of the load-bearing structure), restoration/replacement of joinery under conservation conditions, works on public areas necessary for scaffolding setup, restoration of courtyard facades, and thermal insulation where needed.

The application is submitted by the community of co-owners along with the main project, conservation notice/consent from the competent office, cost estimates/offers, decision of the co-owners (absolute majority), and proof of secured own third.

The process occurs in two steps: the ministry issues a call to JLS by December 15 for a two-year period, and then JLS publish a call to the communities of co-owners, usually in the first quarter of the even year, with an application deadline of 120 days. After signing the contract, payment follows within 30 days, and the works must be completed within 24 months, with the possibility of extension for up to 18 months for justified reasons.

Projects are scored based on the value and age of the building, degree of damage, complexity of works, and energy efficiency. Based on the scores, a priority list will be formed and published on the ministry’s website.

Public consultation is open, so communities of co-owners and cities can already prepare documentation. Those who secure their third and have a ready project can realistically restore the facade with a significant amount of non-repayable funds.

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