Baltimore City vs. Baltimore County: Most programs on this page are specific to Baltimore City. If you're buying in Baltimore County, scroll down to the Baltimore County section — or get in touch and we'll walk you through what applies to your situation.
Buying Your First Home in Baltimore on a Single Income?
There's real money available to help. Baltimore City, the State of Maryland, and nonprofit programs offer up to $20,000+ in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time buyers — and many of these programs can be combined.
Scroll down to explore every available program, or get in touch and I'll personally walk you through what you qualify for.
See All Programs Below →Video Coming Soon
A short guide to buying your first home
in Baltimore on a single income.
Baltimore Homebuyer Grants & Incentives
Up to $50,500+ in grants, forgivable loans, and special financing available to Baltimore homebuyers in 2026. Find out what you qualify for in 60 seconds.
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💰 Baltimore Grant Matcher
Answer 5 questions — see what you qualify for
You May Qualify For
These results are estimates only and are provided for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute a guarantee of eligibility, funding availability, or program participation.
Grant and loan programs change frequently. Funding is limited and programs may be paused, modified, or discontinued without notice. Actual eligibility depends on additional factors including your credit score, home purchase price, chosen lender, property location, and current program funding status.
Always verify your eligibility directly with official program administrators before making any home purchase decision. Moving to Baltimore and Calvin Johnson are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or responsible for any of the programs listed. Information last verified: June 2026.
This matcher checks 10 of the most commonly used programs — Live Baltimore tracks more than 50 financial incentive programs in total. See the complete list →
Ready to Claim Your Grants?
Navigating Baltimore's grant programs can be overwhelming. Let us help you identify every dollar you qualify for — from application to closing. Our consultation is completely free.
All Available Programs at a Glance
| Program | Amount | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Time Homebuyers Incentive | $10,000–$20,000+ | Forgivable Loan | Baltimore City |
| Direct Homeownership Assistance | +$5,000 bonus | Forgivable Loan | Baltimore City |
| Buy Back the Block | Up to $20,000 | Grant | Live Baltimore |
| Buying Into Baltimore | $5,000 | Forgivable Loan | Live Baltimore |
| Vacants to Value Booster | $10,000 | Forgivable Loan | Live Baltimore |
| City Employee Program | $5,000 | Forgivable Loan | Baltimore City |
| Central Baltimore Incentive | $10,000 | 0% Deferred Loan | Baltimore City |
| Live Near Your Work | $2,000–$5,000+ | Grant | Live Baltimore / Employer |
| Good Neighbor Next Door | 50% off list price | HUD Discount | HUD / Federal |
| CHAI Homebuyer Assistance Loan | $10,000 | 0% Interest Loan | CHAI |
| DSELP | Up to $3,000 | Deferred Loan | Maryland State |
| Maryland Mortgage Program | Below-market rate | First Mortgage | Maryland State |
| HNI Purchase & Rehab Loan | Below-market rate | Special Loan | Healthy Neighborhoods |
| HNI Home Improvement Loan | $5,000–$20,000 | Special Loan | Healthy Neighborhoods |
| HNI Matching & Energy Grants | Varies | Grant | Healthy Neighborhoods |
Formerly the CDBG Homeownership Assistance Program. Provides down payment and closing cost assistance based on your income, closing costs, and home price.
- For first-time buyers in Baltimore City
- Extra $5,000 bonus if you're already renting the home, or have a household member with a disability
- Requires a homebuyer counseling certificate before making an offer
A flat $5,000 incentive for buying anywhere in Baltimore City — forgiven over 5 years, so you owe nothing if you stay.
- No income restrictions
- Must attend a Live Baltimore "Buying Into Baltimore" event to qualify
- Can be combined with other city/state programs
Helps buyers purchase and fix up homes that sat vacant for at least a year before being renovated or purchased.
- $10,000 down payment/closing cost assistance, 5-year forgivable
- Home must have had an active Vacant Building Notice for 1+ year
- Great fit if you're eyeing a renovated rowhouse
For buying and renovating a home on one of Healthy Neighborhoods' target blocks (parts of Canton, Patterson Park, Highlandtown, and other east/southeast Baltimore communities).
- 3% down, no mortgage insurance, below-market interest rate
- Income-eligible buyers may also get a matching grant up to $10,000
- Requires using an M&T Bank loan officer assigned to the program
For City of Baltimore employees buying their first home in the city.
- $5,000 down payment/closing assistance, no income limits
- Extra $750 if the home is on a Healthy Neighborhoods target block
- Requires 6+ months of city employment and a $1,000 buyer contribution
If your employer participates, the city matches their contribution toward your down payment.
- City matches $1,000–$2,500 of employer contributions
- Over 80 Baltimore-area employers currently enrolled
- Worth asking your HR department if they participate
The state's most common down payment assistance product, paired with a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage.
- $6,000 deferred loan — no payments until you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage
- 1st Time Advantage is for first-time buyers; Flex 6000 is for repeat buyers
- Can be layered with Partner Match funds (below)
The state's Downpayment and Settlement Expense Loan Program — available if you're using a Maryland Mortgage Program first mortgage.
- Up to $5,000, deferred until sale, refinance, or payoff
- Can be paired with the Community Partners Incentive Program for an extra $5,000 in matching funds
- Best for buyers purchasing homes at $200,000 or less
If you're getting help from an approved partner — an employer, builder, or community organization — Maryland matches it dollar-for-dollar.
- Up to $2,500 in matching zero-interest funds
- Combinable with MMP's other down payment programs
- Ask your lender for the current list of approved Partners
A zero-interest loan from CHAI (Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.) for down payment and closing costs.
- $10,000 available
- Deferred repayment — due on sale, refinance, or payoff
- Often combinable with city and state programs
Program details, amounts, and eligibility requirements change frequently and are set by each program's administrator, not by Calvin or his brokerage. Contact us to confirm current details and find out which programs you may qualify for.
More Programs Worth Knowing About
These additional Baltimore-area incentives may also apply to your situation — ask us for details on any of these.
| Program | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Atlanta Community Partners Product | Up to $15,000 | 5-year forgivable loan, via participating lender |
| FHLBank Atlanta First-Time Homebuyer Product | Up to $12,500 | 5-year forgivable loan, separate from Community Partners |
| FHLBank Atlanta First-Time Homebuyer Program | $5,000–$7,500 | Closing cost assistance via member banks |
| Maryland Mortgage Program: HomeStart 6% | Up to 6% of loan | For buyers at/below 50% area median income |
| Maryland Mortgage Program: House Keys 4 Employees | Up to $2,500 | For Maryland state employees |
| Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 | Up to 15% of price (max $20,000) | Pays off eligible student debt at closing |
| Maryland HomeCredit | Annual tax credit | Federal tax credit on mortgage interest paid |
| Healthy Neighborhoods Home Renovation Loan | $5,000–$20,000 | For renovating a home you already own on a target block |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) | 50% off list price | For teachers, law enforcement, firefighters/EMTs buying HUD homes |
| Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program | Varies | For current Housing Choice Voucher holders |
| Central Baltimore Homebuying Incentive | $10,000 | 0% interest, deferred loan |
| Baybrook Boost | $10,000–$20,500 | Brooklyn and Curtis Bay neighborhoods only |
| HABC Assistance Program | Up to $10,000 | For Public Housing residents buying in the private market |
| Direct Homeownership Assistance Bonus | $5,000 | Add-on bonus for renters-turned-buyers or households with a disability |
Baltimore County & Statewide
Buying in Baltimore County?
Most programs above are specific to Baltimore City. If you're purchasing in Baltimore County — including communities like Owings Mills, Towson, Catonsville, or Pikesville — the programs below may apply to your situation. Several statewide programs also apply regardless of whether you buy in the City or the County.
Baltimore County Homebuyer Assistance Program
Down payment and closing cost assistance available to low-to-moderate income first-time homebuyers purchasing in Baltimore County. Applications are processed through approved Baltimore County housing counseling agencies including Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Harbel Housing Partnership, St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center, and Diversified Housing Development. Income limits and eligibility requirements apply.
Source: Baltimore County Department of Housing and Community Development
Maryland Mortgage Program — 1st Time Advantage
Maryland's flagship homeownership program offers below-market interest rates on first mortgages statewide — available to buyers in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The 1st Time Advantage option includes up to $6,000 in down payment assistance paired with the first mortgage. Must be obtained through one of 80 participating lenders. Income limits and purchase price limits apply by county.
Source: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 — Student Debt Relief at Closing
For buyers carrying student loan debt, Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 pays off up to 15% of the purchase price (maximum $20,000) in eligible student debt directly at closing. Available statewide including Baltimore County. Must be paired with a Maryland Mortgage Program first mortgage. This program is particularly valuable for buyers whose student loan payments are limiting their monthly borrowing capacity.
Source: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
FHLBank Atlanta — Community Partners & First-Time Homebuyer Products
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta offers two forgivable loan products available statewide through participating member lenders — the Community Partners Product (up to $15,000, 5-year forgivable) and the First-Time Homebuyer Product (up to $12,500, 5-year forgivable). Both apply to buyers in Baltimore County. Ask your lender whether they participate in the FHLBank Atlanta program.
Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta — via participating member lenders
Good Neighbor Next Door — 50% Off List Price
HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program offers eligible teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs a 50% discount off the list price of qualifying HUD-owned homes in designated revitalization areas. Available nationwide including Baltimore County. Buyers must commit to living in the property as their primary residence for at least 36 months.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Not Sure What You Qualify For?
Program details, income limits, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Get in touch and we'll help you identify which programs apply to your specific situation — whether you're buying in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
Get in Touch →Looking for something not listed here? Live Baltimore maintains a searchable database of 50+ Baltimore-area homeownership incentives — explore the full list →