Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Calls on State Legislators to Fix the Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program

ATLANTA, Sept. 24 - The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is urging the Georgia General Assembly to fix the state's Rehabilitation Tax Credit program, which will run out of available credits nearly four years before the program is up for renewal in 2029. On Sept. 22, the state office that administers the program alerted the public that "the program will effectively end, as all credits available through the sunset period will have been allocated."

The Rehabilitation Tax Credit program has been one of Georgia's most powerful tools for breathing new life into historic buildings. From restoring downtown commercial buildings to converting former mills and schools into housing, the state rehabilitation tax credit has spurred more than $800 million in direct private investment into Georgia's communities since 2020.

Currently, the fixed annual cap of $30 million has limited the program's ability to meet demand and sustain economic development in historic downtowns and neighborhoods statewide. As projects have earned credit, they have been pushed into future years, creating the current predicament. The Georgia Trust is advocating for an annual cap of $60 million through 2029.

"Historic rehabilitation projects are proven drivers of community revitalization," said Ben Sutton, senior director of preservation and legislative advocacy for the Georgia Trust. "The fact that demand has outpaced supply shows just how important this program is for Georgia communities. These credits make challenging projects viable - whether it's the South Downtown project in Atlanta, or a small loft project in Barnesville - the state's incentives are a necessary piece of the puzzle to make difficult projects work."

A 2019 study of the program authored by Georgia Tech found that "historic rehab tax credits result in net positive new revenues for the state and local governments," with projects returning nearly $1.50 for every $1 awarded within 5 years. Additionally, a 2022 evaluation by Georgia State University noted, "there is a body of research supporting additional tourism benefits associated with historic heritage, rehabilitation tax credits as a de facto housing policy, and as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization."

Sutton added, "As we get ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Georgia's historic places deserve our attention to preserve them for future generations. The state tax credits are a proven tool to do just that. We call on legislators to pay attention to the issue and fix it before the opportunity is wasted."

About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia's diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

As one of the country's leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia's "Places in Peril." The Trust celebrates outstanding preservation efforts through its annual Preservation Awards, supports students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship, and offers a range of grant programs dedicated to protecting and preserving historic places throughout the state. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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Published : September 25, 2025
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