Disclaimer: All incentives below require homeownership counseling from a City-approved homeownership counseling agency within one year before writing an offer on a home, and a minimum $1,000 investment from the homebuyer’s own funds towards the purchase of the property. All incentives below are provided as five-year forgivable loans except for the Live Near Your Work (grant) and Vacants to Value Booster.
Vacants to Value Booster
This Baltimore specific program offers a $10,000 incentive for properties that were subject to City-issued Vacant Building notices for at least one year prior to (a) rehabilitation of the property by a developer, or (b) sale of the property to a homebuyer who intends to renovate the property using an acquisition/rehabilitation loan. A certificate of occupancy for the property must be submitted at the time of the application. Contact Michael Guye by calling 410-396-4160 for more information. Lastly, click this link to learn more about a Baltimore community based initiative and organization called Charm City Land Trust to combat homelessness.
Baltimore City Employee Homeownership Program
This Baltimore specific program provides $5,000 to Baltimore city and quasi-city employees who have been employed for at least six months. Contact Marilyn Hinton-Brown by calling her at 410-396-4104 for more information.
Live Near Where You Work Program
The Live Near Your Work program is a partnership between Baltimore City and participating employers to encourage homeownership near places of employment. Baltimore City matches employers’ contributions between $1,000 and $2,500 in the form of a grant. The total amount of assistance depends on the employer’s participation, and your mortgage amount cannot exceed the current FHA mortgage limit of $583,050 for a single-family home. Please contact Monyea Briggs by calling (410) 396-4209 for more informmation.
First-Time Homebuyer Incentive Program
This Baltimore specific program formerly known as the CDBG Homeownership Assistance Program, is available for homebuyers that submit an applications anytime after May 1, 2022. The base incentive amount is $10,000 for first-time homebuyers with a household income at or below 80% of the area median income. Current income limits are shown below.
Numbers indicate household size:
- $62,600
- $71,550
- $80,500
- $89,400
- $96,600
- $103,750
- $110,900
- $118,050
An additional $5,000 bonus is available to homebuyers who (a) purchase the house they have rented and occupied for at least six months, or (b) have a disability or have a household member with a disability that is legally defined based on federal law.
An additional $10,000 bonus is available to homebuyers purchasing properties within one of Baltimore City’s Impact Investment Areas. To check if a property is located in an Impact Investment Area, click this link and contact Brenda Winston by calling 443-984-2264 for more information.
Live Baltimore Lottery Grant
This Baltimore specific lottery grant allows you to sign up for a chance to win $5,000 by attending the Live Baltimore Trolley Tour. This grant can be used for down payment and closing cost assistance that’s forgiven over five years, so you owe nothing at the end of the loan term. No household income requirements. Only 20 winners are selected each year. Contact Mia Conyer by calling her at 410-396-1319 for more information.
Baybrook Boost Baltimore Homeownership Grant Program
This Baltimore specific program is a partnership between Greater Baybrook Alliance and NHS Baltimore that allows homebuyers to receive grants if they choose to purchase a home in the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay neighborhoods. To qualify the house must be your primary residence. Additionally, your household income cannot exceed 100% AMI to receive $10,000 from Greater Baybrook Alliance or your household income cannot exceed 80% AMI to receive a $10,500 match from NHS Baltimore. This means you could get $10,000 or $20,500 depending on your household income. Through this program you would receive an interest-free loan with no monthly payments, but you would have to pay it back when you sell, refinance, transfer or finish paying down your main mortgage. Please contact Sarah Hope by calling 410-458-3384 for more information.